Building Bridges

Posted at 11:10 am on 19th March, 2020

Inspiring STEM Careers

In March, as part of British Science Week, Wellacre welcomed engineers from 3D Primo and Ramboll UK to work alongside Year 10 Maths students for an inspirational STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) day. 

Students were selected as an acknowledgement of their effort and progress in Maths this academic year to work alongside professional mentors from the engineering world, Mr Green from 3D Primo and Mr Lowe (who is also a former Wellacre student!) from Ramboll UK.

The day’s challenge was to design, cost and build a bridge.  Students began the day using their creativity and the application of Maths to design and calculate the cost of building a full cable-stayed bridge. 

Their careful and calculated planning was then put into action as they were challenged in teams, to create a scale model using plaster of Paris, straws, and fishing line.

Mr Sharrock, Leader of Maths, said:

“To be successful in this activity, the students had to understand the value of advance planning, and to work in a team, assigning each other roles to successfully order and manage tasks, as well as to meet the deadline!   

“They had to submit budgets and schedules, and at the end of the day, their success hinged on whether or not their Mathematics had been accurate.”

Students became so captivated and enthused by the challenges of the day, many were reluctant to go for their lunch break and even asked “Would it be against the rules to sneak in at lunchtime to carry on working?"