Bright Sparks at Totton College

Over 60 Sixth-form students representing teams from the South showed their solutions to real companies' engineering problems this week at HMS Collingwood. Teams of engineering experts assessed the students' ideas on Wednesday 27 April at the Engineering Education Scheme's annual 'Celebration and Assessment Day' and certificates were presented by Rear Admiral Peter Davies.

Totton College's excellently resourced science department participated in the Scheme with two diverse Projects, entering two teams, one of only two colleges to do so. One team under Totton College Tutor Dr Paul Roberts with Roke Manor Research, part of the electronics giant Siemens, developing a futuristic wireless system for alarm systems such as fire alarms and smoke detectors. The second led by College Tutor Dr John Roberts project was with Philips Semiconductors developing a 'Smarthome' device to monitor use of home appliances e.g everything from audio-visual to burglar surveillance equipment operated from the owner's key fob. The students also spent a three day residential at Southampton University's Engineering Faculty.

The Engineering Education Scheme, part of The Royal Academy of Engineering's Best education programme 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, students have six months to finish their project, as an extra-curricular activity. The Scheme aims to encourage bright young students to consider the vital profession of engineering as a career.

"Taking part in the Scheme has taken us into a high-tech field that is beyond the A level syllabus in electronics and physics as this technology has yet to be implemented to commercial products. We also worked with computer software design programs. I also wouldn't have had the opportunity to work on a 'live' project within industry without the Scheme" said Totton college student Ed Tan (studying Maths, Physics, Biology, chemistry and Auto-CAD).

"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, Totton College Careers Adviser.