Totton College Students Excel at Celebration and Assessment Day at HMS Collingwood

Guest of Honour: Rear Admiral Peter Davies CBE MSc CEng FIEE

Over 60 Southern Region Students Solve Engineering Problems

Two teams of exceptional students from Totton College thoroughly enjoyed the celebration at HMS Collingwood. The day was the culmination of months of hard work on the Engineering Education Scheme, which challenges high-ability students from all over the UK to solve industrial problems set by local companies. Working in a team with an engineer from the company and teacher mentor, they had six months to finish their project.

Totton College students impressed organisers with their participation in the Scheme with two diverse Projects. Working with Network Rail one team developed a piece of sophisticated software to program the huge cranes that move track. Another Exxon/Mobil team embarked on an environmentally orientated project surrounding chemical emissions at Fawley Refinery. The students also spent a three day residential at Southampton University's Engineering Faculty. These projects were real projects, with real solutions that will be used by both Network rail and Exxon/Mobil.

Mark Bramwell, Principal commented 'I am delighted with the success of our students in such a prestigious and challenging scheme. The projects themselves were extremely interesting and the presentations impressive. I found the whole experience refreshing and of a very high standard.'

"Taking part in the Scheme has definitely influenced my degree choice. I didn't know much about what engineers really do until I took part and I had been considering a career in Medicine. Now I realise I could combine those interests by becoming an engineer and maybe designing medical diagnostic equipment." Paul Hurst, Student (A level Maths, Chemistry, Biology & PE).

"This unique scheme gives students first-hand experience to challenge problem-solving projects with like-minded young people and help decide whether engineering is a career-path they wish to pursue. The opportunity to sample university life at the residential experience also gives them a headstart towards higher education." Says June Crump, College Careers Adviser.