WARWICK GOES ALTERNATIVE!

The annual Alternative/Renewable Energy day was held at The Warwick School on Thursday 12 July - as dynamic and exciting as ever  with 14 engineers working with the science and technology departments at the school.  Year 9 students were grouped into 8 large teams, divided into 2 engineering and 1 media team per group, each named after a famous scientist or engineer.  The day started with an introduction to renewable/alternative energies and then on to the design and build!

From a pile of bits of wood, screws, bolts, copper piping, guttering, plastic dustbins and all sorts, each group produced 2 large scale working models which actually generated electricity; 2 small scale working models – a windmill and a solar boat; and the media students created a four page newsletter containing photographs and interviews  Large waterwheels and turbines were tested outside with flowing water and gave enough power to light LEDs; in the hall, fans became wind which turned all the innovative wind turbines, and theatrical lights simulated the sun to heat water in various water devices.

The Day has evolved over ten years with SATRO and The Warwick working closely together.Our Ambassadors return year on year and there is a competitive element between groups now, not only of students but also between the engineers!  Our thanks go to all of them from Allan Hopkins (The Warwick) and Denise Balmer (SATRO) for once again supporting this and making it such a worthwhile day.  We are also indebted to Cllr Lyn Hack of Banstead and Reigate Council for providing the funding to enable this worthwhile day to go ahead.