Six pupils from Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Ashbourne have beaten almost 100 teams from schools across the UK to triumph in the STEM Challenge 5 final; run by STEMNET* in partnership with GE.
The GE Wetsuit Challenge (STEM Challenge 5) asked pupils to design a completely new type of wetsuit for paratriathlete Jimmy Goddard. The current Paratriathlon wetsuit design is based on those worn by able bodied athletes, meaning that paratriathletes can waste valuable time during the transition from pool to bike. A new improved and specially designed wetsuit for paratriathletes could prove vital in improving performance during transition and in the pool itself.
The winning design was chosen by a group of high-profile judges, headed up by Britain's leading paratriathlete Jimmy Goddard, who hopes to be competing for Team GB at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. The Paratriathlon will be included in the Paralympic Games for the first time at Rio 2016, and Jimmy is hoping be a leading medal contender for this event.
'Team Orca' from Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School was one of eight teams selected to go to the National Final at The Big Bang Fair, Excel, London on Saturday 12th March. Jimmy Goddard was the competition's Head Judge on the panel alongside representatives from GE, including Mark Elborne, CEO and President GE UK.
The final eight teams from across the UK competed in a Dragon's Den style pitch. 'Team Orca' most impressed the judges with their ideas, and won £1,000 worth of equipment for their STEM Club, as well as an exclusive trip and presentation at a Wildfowl and Wetland's Trust site supported by GE. The team from St Clement Danes School in Hertfordshire came 2nd receiving £750, with the 3rd place team from Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College in Worcester winning £500. The judges were looking for a creative idea applying the Olympic and Paralympic Values to the project in a creative way, as well as excellent teamwork and the development of inspirational ideas.
Jimmy Goddard said:
"It was really exciting to see the designs the pupils have come up with, and I'm thrilled to have been on the judging panel. It was a hard choice to make as all the designs were great! For me, to have a specially designed wetsuit could make a real difference in terms of performance."
Said Ruth Bedingham responsible for Corporate Citizenship at GE:
"Paratriathlon will be one of the most exciting events at the 2016 Paralympic Games. This competition gives children the exciting opportunity to drive real innovation within this burgeoning sport."
Said Kirsten Bodley, Chief Executive, STEMNET:
"The STEM Challenges get students thinking about the real-life issues that STEM professionals behind the scenes of the 2012 Games face on a daily basis and also give young people across the country a chance to connect with the Olympic and Paralympic Games between now and 2012. The aim is for students to experience STEM skills in practice and understand that science and technology doesn't just happen in the classroom but is a hugely important and enthralling sector to be involved in. STEMNET hopes that initiatives like the STEM Challenges will help to inspire the next generation of great British STEM professionals."
The STEM** Challenges are made up of 9 activities open to 11-14 year old school children across the UK with each one inspired by the STEM behind the London 2012 Games. Each Challenge is a competition and will focus on a different aspect of the preparations for or the 2012 Games. The programme has been devised with LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games), has received the London 2012 Inspire Mark and is part of Get Set, the London 2012 education programme. Each Challenge is designed to enable young people to use the skills learnt in Science, Design & Technology, Engineering and Maths lessons to create something interesting, useful and potentially spectacular.
Mark Maguire
GE
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