The S1 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network) Challenge team, accompanied by Mr Blair and Ms Machen, were in London for the STEM Challenge 6 National final.

Although the team did not win, they were praised for their participation and enthusiasm.  Mr. Blair reported that the pupils were very well behaved and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The feedback from the judges can be read in the document downloadable below.

As the first team from Scotland to reach the final this was a fantastic achievement and they all seem keen to try again when the next Challenge comes along.

A little about the competition...

The competition asked students from across the UK to work in teams to design a website for Rachel Morris, one of Great Britain’s leading paralmypians and a Cisco London 2012 ambassador.

STEM Challenge 6, sponsored by Cisco, asked students to design a web presence for Rachel Morris, a handcycling gold medalist. Students worked in teams completing tasks connected to the curriculum to create a design that could help to raise Rachel’s profile in the run up to the London 2012.

Following regional competitions, eight schools from across the UK reached the national final on Friday 8 July. Each team of students aged 11-14 competed in a Dragon’s Den style pitch before a panel of expert judges:

• Rachel Morris, Paralympian
• Darren Bolton, Executive Creative Director, DNX Marketing
• Neil Crockett, MD, London 2012, Cisco
• Chris Thompson the Director of Business, Innovation and External Affairs from Ravensbourne College

Rachel Morris, Team GB Paralympian said:
"Technology is a big part of my sport, with advancements over the last few decades opening up Paralympic cycling to a wider range of categories, events and competitors. As I prepare for the London 2012 Paralympic Games, it will be great to get school students from across the country involved in my preparations, as well as helping educate more people about handcycling and reflex sympathetic dystrophy."

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 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 STEM doesn’t just happen in the classroom but is a hugely important and enthralling sector to be involved in.

The Knox Academy team consisted of Chloe Craig, Isla Macdonald, Peter Macaldowie, William Syme and Harriet Lomholt-Welch.