Judging to get underway in this year’s challenges...

JUDGING is set to get underway next week in a series of challenges which aim to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers for youngsters.

The 2017 Young Innovators Challenge is sponsored by science-based technology company 3M and supported by the Loughborough Echo and the Loughborough Learning Alliance.

Through a series of practical, theoretical and creative challenges, the programme encourages young people to view Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) as dynamic and inspiring subjects which can lead to rewarding and fulfilling future careers.

Thirty-eight schools from across Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire have signed up to take part and have been working on their creations for the past few weeks.

Now, judging for the six different challenges will take place over the next few weeks.

First up is the Tower Tech Challenge, with judging taking place on May 9 and 10.

The challenge, for those in Years 7-11, is to design and build a three-part free-standing tower, maximising its slenderness and load capacity while minimising its total mass.

Then, on May 11-12, entries into the Science Detectives Challenge will be judged.

Earlier this year, students in Years 8-10 visited the Department of Chemistry at Loughborough University to examine a crime scene scenario using a combination of forensic observation, analytical chemistry, social media analysis and suspect profiling.

Since then, teams have been putting together their hypotheses and will present their finding to judges at 3M House in Morley Street, Loughborough.

Super Food Challenge judging will take place on May 16-17 and involves designing and making a healthy snack product strongly reflecting the ingredients and food culture of a chosen country.

Entries into the Canyon Crossing Challenge, which tasks design and build a bridge using materials from a given list which can carry up to 12kg whilst minimising the weight of construction, will be judged on May 19, 22 and 23.

And this year, there are two separate Eco Tech Challenges, one from primary school pupils and another for secondary school students.

The primary school competition involves construct a functioning musical instrument made entirely from recycled materials and judging will be on May 18, while the secondary challenge to design and construct a functioning item of furniture will take place on May 24.