HASSENBROOK STUDENTS GET SET TO ENGINEER OUR FUTURE

A group of twelve year nine girls each with the ambition, drive and determination to win from Hassenbrook School in Stanford le Hope were invited to take part in GETSET, an engineering challenge at Ford’s Technical Centre at Dunton in Laindon recently. The purpose of the day was to provide an opportunity for girls with an interest in Science, Maths and Technology to gain insight into careers that could be available to them in the field of engineering.

Fords at Dunton employs 4000 engineers and carries out all the research and development work required for every Ford vehicle that goes into production around the world. The company is interested in recruiting and training more women into it’s workforce and was keen to facilitate this event.

During the morning session pupils were set the brief to design and build a vehicle with a steering mechanism that could carry a person round a slalom track in the fastest time possible.  After lunch the second task was to design and build a solar powered buggy that could be charged up from a security light and then raced across the floor. Each team was allocated a professional engineer to support and advise but not solve the problems set. Competing against Hassenbrook School were Colchester High School, Shoebury School, Southend High School, Sweyne Park School and Gable Hall.

Mr Brankin, Technology College Co-ordinator at Hassenbrook School said, ‘By the end of the day it was clear to all which school was the Technology College, with Hassenbrook picking up prizes for both First and Third place. Along with learning about mechanisms and power sources the girls had a fantastic day, experiencing real life engineering problems and developing their team skills. Hassenbrook pupils should feel proud of their achievement in this event and possibly look forward to a career in engineering.’