Students set their sights on tomorrow's world

Engineering Week 2017 at The Scarbough Spa. Eskdale school pupils visit the UTC Stand . Staff Karen Jones, pupil Ellie Cayley , exhibiter Andrej Lieskovsky ,Principle Tim Inglefield , pupil Jayce Thomas . pic Richard Ponter 174907d

They were able to see and hear from a huge range of engineering, industrial and technical companies which packed out the venue for Scarborough Engineering Week.

The students from primary and secondary schools throughout the district were able to try on virtual headsets to perform various challenges, test their running speed in a hi-tech tunnel, visit the space-age cosmodome, learn about the skills of using dye, and try out a range of laser, visual and audio devices.

Maggie Ndundn, 13, of Ryedale School, said: “The virtual headsets were good, you got to able to jump out of plane as if you were in the army.”

Scarborough Engineering Week 2017 .Paul Bartle of Castle shoe St Augustines pupils Izzy Monty and Olivia Proctor some of the gadgets . pic Richard Ponter 174912b

Poppy Charlesworth and Alyyah Parkin, both 12-year-old pupils of Caedmon in Whitby, said: “The virtual reality was really good, we had to try to lock a padlock.”

One of the exhibitors was Nicola Wallworth, of the STEM Ambassadors, linking education and practical careers. She said: “We have had a lot of interest and the pupils are very engaged once the toys have been tried out, they ask a lot of questions. It opens up career pathways and they were especially interested in talking to the young apprentices on the various stands.”

Peter Wilkinson, who created engineering week with Alan Pickering of engineers Unison, told The Scarborough News: “The event has been packed out at various times.

“The family session on Tuesday evening was also very busy but what we are pleased about is seeing so many young people milling around, trying out the devices and tasks, asking questions and getting a glimpse into other types of important careers.

Scarborough Engineering Week 2017 Scalby School's Sammie Hellawell,Charlotte Stephens and Maisy McGeown work with Paul Shippin from Scarborough Tech.. pic Richard Ponter 174912e

“Thank you to all the exhibitors, who brought their displays, stands, gizmos and gave the young people a memorable experience.”

The free event is organised by Scarborough Business Ambassadors, North Yorkshire Business enterprise Parnership, the York/North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, North Yorkshire County Council, the Spa, headline sponsor Sirius Minerals and Scarborough Borough Council.

It included the 40ft long hi-tech Mantra and 35 exhibitors and employers included Sirius Minerals, McCain, Unison, Dale Power Solutions, Schneider, LeGrand, James Fischer Nuclear, Rosti Automotive, GCHQ, Cirrus Research, Woodall Nicholson and Komatsu, plus Derwent Training, Scarborough TEC, Hull University, Scarborough UTC and Coventry University Scarborough.