Primary 6 pupils from 60 schools throughout Glasgow, Renfrewshire and Dunbartonshire are taking their first steps towards a career in engineering by competing in an event organised by SETPOINT Scotland, based at the University of Glasgow. The Regional Final of the Young Engineers for Britain K'NEX Challenge 2006 will be held at Glasgow College of Nautical Studies on Tuesday 23rd May 2006. To get to this level, the teams have already competed within their own school and also against other primaries in their learning community.

SETPOINT is an organisation which aims to provide teachers and young people with educational support on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). The University of Glasgow, which hosts SETPOINT Scotland West and Greater Glasgow, is supporting the event which will encourage pupils to demonstrate their creativity, imagination and ingenuity.

The teams of two pupils from each school have just one hour to design and make a model with K'NEX construction kits. The Challenge has been created by engineers at the Nautical College so will have a distinctly nautical theme! The final model will be judged on its design, function and visual appeal; and the pupils will be marked on their skills in problem solving, presentation and communication.

Steve Brindley, Operations Manager of SETPOINT Scotland said: 'Again we are pleased that the partnership with Careers Scotland and Glasgow College of Nautical Studies means we can support the K'NEX Challenge for 2006. This year we have built on the success of the 'Cluster Challenge' from 2005 and even more schools are now working together and forming closer links within their learning communities. We had a lot of positive feedback last year from this way of working and the children have benefited from having extra levels of competition before reaching the Area Finals stage. Maybe this is why a Scottish team, from Coulter Primary in Biggar, won the UK Junior Engineer for Britain title last year. We want to repeat the performance this year!'

The winners will go on to the Scottish Final on 16 June at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow and take part in the 'Celebration of Engineering' event which also showcases the Young Engineer projects that secondary schools have been working on. The UK final will be held in London in September and the overall winners will be crowned Young Engineers for Britain KNEX Champions 2006.

In the run up to this year's Regional Final, Science and Engineering Ambassadors have worked with primary pupils and teachers, while secondary schools have hosted the heats. The benefits have been stronger links all round and increased awareness of science and technology programmes running in primary schools.

Kate Richardson (K.richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk)

For more information please contact the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3535 or email Pressoffice@gla.ac.uk

First published: 18 May 2006