STEM Activity days
The Faraday Challenge Days - Inspired by London 2012
STEM activity days from the IET come in the shape of the annual season of Faraday Challenge Days. There are 45 in-school events held each year, and this year we are adding 12 extra dates at IET Academic Partner universities across the UK.
Budding young engineers aged 12 and 13 will be taking up the task of researching, designing and building prototype solutions to a real London 2012 related engineering problem. At each event teams compete to win a prize for themselves and a trophy for their school. The top three teams from the 2011/12 season win an all expenses paid trip to the National Final at IET Savoy Place, London on 22 June 2012.
The Faraday Challenge Days 2011/12 season started in Scotland this year and will be reaching schools in Northern Ireland, Wales and England. Read what teachers and students are saying about the season so far and check out how the competition is hotting up in the League Table.
What is this year's Faraday Challenge?
As the Faraday Challenge is unveiled afresh at each event we have to keep it top secret until then!
. . . but what we can tell you is that it that the Faraday Challenge 2011/12 is a unique opportunity for students to design and make a prototype solution to an engineering problem linked directly to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Faraday Challenge focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills development, and highlights the wide variety of engineering related careers for students who continue to study STEM subjects.This is a great way to show young people the vital role engineering plays in the Olympics.
What the teachers and students are saying. . .
Teachers think that the days are great for students . . .
"Excellent day! Was good fun and definitely something different and challenging."
Allan Casey, Clydebank High School
"Excellent day for pupils and staff. Really gets pupils to think about what engineering entails."
Feargal Dalton, St Luke's High School, Barrhead
. . . and the students think so too!
"Fantastic!"
Student, Clydebank High School
Part of the London 2012 Inspire Programme
The IET Faraday Challenge Days 2011/12 has been granted the Inspire mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme. The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The IET Education team are very excited that the Faraday Challenge Days are part of the Inspire programme.