Musical test is the latest challenge for youngsters

MAKING music is on the minds of local primary school pupils taking part in the 2018 3M Young Innovators Challenge.

The annual competition was devised by the science-based technology company 3M and has been run in partnership with the Loughborough Echo every year since 2013.

One of its six categories is the Eco Tech Challenge for primary school children to construct a functioning musical instrument made entirely from recycled materials – with extra marks if it can be used to play a recognisable tune.

Last year’s winning entry was from two boys at St Paul’s CoE Primary School in Woodhouse Eaves, who created a guitar complete with plectrum holder and tuning forks.

Other shortlisted entries included a tambourine made out of materials ranging from metal bottle tops to barbecue skewers; a unique wind and percussion instrument – a combination of a xylophone and a glockenspiel; and a ‘musical needlephone’ using recycled paper and aluminium.

“This category of the competition is aimed at encouraging exploration of science, design and technology, with a special focus on sustainability,” commented Julie Owen, communications manager at 3M’s Loughborough site.

“We were blown away by the ingenuity shown by the pupils last year and all the research and experimentation that had gone into their creations. We can’t wait to see, and hear, what they have learned about the science of sound this year!”

The Eco Tech Challenge is open to all Years 4-6 primary school pupils in the Loughborough Echo circulation area and has a top award of £750 worth of environmental education equipment for the winning school and prizes for the pupils.

3M will also be funding the pupils’ entry into the British Science Association’s CREST Award scheme to give them the chance to gain a nationally recognised accreditation.

All entries to the Eco Tech Challenge must be in by the closing date of 23 March. The judges this year will be Taby Shaikh, a 3M engineer and passionate advocate of women into engineering, together with local music teacher Judy Nicol, who leads the Charnwood Symphonic Wind Orchestra, Charnwood Concert Band and Charnwood Training Band in Loughborough.

Full details of all the categories in the 3M Young Innovators Challenge can be found at www.3M.co.uk/younginnovators