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Judges blown away by MNA Stem Challenge pupils’ high standards
Problem solving and the ability to work as a team are just some of the valuable skills pupils have learned during the MNA STEM Challenge 2018, according to Dudley College of Technology’s principal.
Neil Thomas, who has a background in engineering, said the college, which has been the competition’s main sponsor, had been ‘super excited’ to host the judging day for the competition.
He told the Express & Star he had been blown away by the quality of the products designed and manufactured in a bid to help disadvantage people in the community.
Mr Thomas also congratulated the teams, teachers and mentors on their hard work and said the pupils were developing skills that would be benefit them in their future careers.
“It’s been absolutely brilliant,” said Mr Thomas.“When we started planning this a year ago, we had no idea it would be as successful as it has been.
“The effort that has gone it to has been first-rate and the amount of time the industry mentors have given has been brilliant.
“The young people have put a lot of thought into their products and they’ve learned those valuable problem solving, collaborative working and creative skills they will need later in life.
“There has been positive feedback from the employers, which is great to hear especially as some of these young people could end up working for these employers in the future.
“Everybody has been very positive throughout the whole process and now we’ve seen the results of their hard work,” he added.
The college’s assistant principal Shaun Hunt said he too was impressed with the high standard of the products designed by the pupils.
“There are some really interesting and innovative ideas. Everybody has looked at the brief in a different way,” he said.
“Everybody has put in a lot of time and effort and taken great care to come up with a product they believe will benefit someone who is disadvantaged.” When the challenge was launched in December last year, he said he hoped it would open pupils’ eyes to the ‘endless opportunities’ available within STEM subjects.
During the past few years, the college opened the £9 million Dudley Advance centre for manufacturing and engineering technology.
More recently, the £12m Dudley Advance II, which focusses on building technologies, was also launched.
The judging event for the MNA STEM Challenge 2018 took place in the ‘hangar’ at Dudley Advance II where students are taught the practical know-how required for fabricating and assembling buildings using the latest available technologies.
Both campuses are fitted with the latest equipment and technology aimed at equipping students with the skills needed in the industries.
The college has worked closely with employers to ensure both the facilities and curriculum match their requirements. In February, the college opened its doors to teachers and mentors so they could get an insight into the facilities available at the college.
From virtual reality to 3D printing, tutors carried out demonstrations and let visitors try out the equipment for themselves.
It aimed to give a better understanding of the technologies and technical equipment available for engineering, manufacturing and construction that could be incorporated into the projects.
