Friday 18 May 2012 Eighteen Lower Sixth students from the Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) have earned prestigious gold awards in a national scheme that encourages the scientists and engineers of the future. The CREST scheme, run by the British Science Association, is a programme of awards that gives students in the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) tangible recognition for real world, hands on project work. The scheme is open to 11 to 19 year olds, with only the most advanced students aged 16 plus eligible for Gold awards. The students teamed up to tackle design and research projects set by a professional engineer, who mentored the teams throughout the process which ran from October to March. Tom Rogerson, GSAL’s Head of Physics, said, “The Gold CREST award recognises the six months hard work and effort put in by the teams working alongside their engineers – producing the formal report for assessment, presenting their findings to a panel of engineers and manning a display stand on the Celebration and Assessment Day.” “This year’s teams worked to a particularly high level and the CREST assessor was greatly impressed with the standard of the reports and the quality of students’ verbal responses.” “The scheme allows students an insight into the world of the professional engineer and develops their team working and project management skills, which will set them apart when they apply for university.” Two teams worked with engineers from Arup on their projects – designs for a lifting bridge and for an iconic structure to house an Olympic standard pool, diving pool and leisure complex. Airedale Engineering advised the third team on an investigation into cooling processes and precision air conditioning. The winning students are pictured with their teachers: Back row – Mr Rogerson, Neil Saha, Henry Dalton, Will Mason, Marcell Haslewood, Reuben Ackerman, Edward Pellow, Prashant Jha, Adam Roberts. Front row – Mr Wilkinson, David Woon, Stuart Roney, Alice Johnson, Bhavika Sethi, Caroline Scully, Elliott Robinson, Oliver Young, Chris Jarvis, Mr O’Flanagan Students Flo O’Conor and Zakee Ahmed also won gold awards. Senior School Sixth Form News
