SATRO Problem Solving Challenge - St Bede's heat

The fifth and final heat of this year's Problem Solving Challenge brought together 33 teams from 15 schools, who competed against each other to secure a place at the Grand Final on 20 March 2014 which will be held at Charterhouse School. After a hard-fought contest with very few points separating the teams, it was Reigate Grammar, de Stafford and Warlingham School who were the year group winners, while teams from St Bede’s and Teddington School will join them as runners-up.

SATRO Problem Solving Challenge - St Philomena's heat

The fourth heat of this year's Problem Solving Challenge brought together 37 teams from 15 schools, who competed against each other to secure a place at the Grand Final on 20 March 2014 which will be held at Charterhouse School. After a hard-fought contest with very few points separating the teams, it was Overton Grange, Sutton High and Trinity School who were the year group winners, while teams from Nonsuch High and Carshalton Boys Sports College will join them as runners-up.

SATROClub

SATROClub is aimed at Surrey students in years 9-13 who are interested in science, technology, engineering or maths. They can register to receive a regular newsletter with information about:

- Careers using STEM skills

- Careers events and exhibitions

- Opportunities to meet with local businesses and training providers

- Work experience opportunities
- Companies who want to recruit school and college leavers with GCSEs and/or A levels using STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths)
- Apprenticeships and jobs with training leading to recognised qualifications

Students who are interested should email satroclub@satro.org.uk to register.

They can also follow SATROClub on twitter: @Satroclub for facts, jobs and general information.

For more information about SATROClub click here.

21st February 1804 - Today in Science History

In 1804, the first self-propelling steam engine, (the steam locomotive) was tested at the Pen-y-Darren ironworks on its normally horse-drawn tramline. The machine was created by Richard Trevithick. He had previously built his first road steam locomotive in 1801, and another road machine in 1803, before turning his attention to railways. The railway engine that was to be tested at Pen-y-Darren was able to pull a mass of 15 tonnes at a speed of 5 miles per hour. However, adhesion proved to be a problem as the iron wheels slipped on the iron rails. Another fault was that the cast-iron rails of the tramways at that time were not strong enough to support the weight of this new machine and the experiment was soon abandoned.

Click here for more events that happened 'today in science history'

ANOTHER SATRO BUSINESS GAME SUCCESS

On 13th February 90 year 10 students from Glebelands School gained an invaluable insight into the world of work when they took part in the SATRO Business Game. Teams of students became stationery companies for the day manufacturing booklets which they had to sell to a discerning panel of buyers. The game stretched their minds and abilities in a way they never thought possible. They had a myriad of business decisions to make as the game unfolded and were aided in their tasks by a number of business volunteers whose job it was to guide, support and encourage their teams as they got to grips with all the challenges inherent in running a business.

The stress levels were high as companies competed with each other to see who could make the most profit. Many valuable life skills were learnt with many students commenting, “The tight time schedules and negotiating was difficult; I learnt about social skills and team work.”
Our business volunteers also greatly enjoyed the experience with one stating – “My first experience of a business game, I was very impressed with how the teams threw themselves into the task, with little urging required… it was great to work with such enthusiastic groups!”

THE BIG BANG FAIR

The Big Bang Fair not only features exciting and explosive theatre shows and engaging, immerse activities, it is also a wonderful opportunity to meet some of the country's leading scientists and engineers to discover just how many exciting and rewarding opportunities there are with the right experience and qualifications. The Big Bang Fair is all about the young engineers and scientists of the future and highlighting the career opportunities that exist for these young people with science, technology, engineering and maths backgrounds. The event will be open to the public on 15th and 16th March 2014. It takes place at the NEC, Birmingham. As well as this national fair that takes place annually, The Big Bang company have a growing programme of events throughout the year and around the country.

Click here to register for The Big Bang Fair.

To find out more about The Big Bang events near you click here.

AN EXCITING WEEK OF DISCOVERING SCIENCE

3 Discovery Science Days took place in Primary Schools this week: Barnsbury Primary School in Woking on 10th February; Boxgrove Primary School in Guildford on 12th February and Bishop Perrin Primary School in Twickenham. Over 500 pupils across the three schools participated, learning about a range of science activities: electrical circuits, magnets, light, forces in the playground, gravity and building water rockets.

The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the activities and learnt an awful lot. One pupil said "It was really inspiring and it has made me want to be a scientist." Another pupil commented "My opinion about SATRO is that they help persuade you to be a scientist. I had lots of fun today. The best part was having someone I don't know helping me learn."

The above events were kindly sponsored by: Barnsbury Primary School – Cllr Will Forster; Boxgrove Primary School – Cllr Mark Brett-Warburton and Bishop Perrin Primary School - The Royal Institution of Great Britain.

SATRO Problem Solving Challenge - George Abbot heat

Teams from 12 schools comprising some 180 students converged on George Abbot School in Guildford on Thursday evening for the third heat sponsored by Allianz Insurance. Congratulations to all who took part: we saw the highest score so far in the competition achieved by the KS5 team from Gordon's School (672 points), and a highly creditable 535 points gained by the KS4 team from The Royal Grammar School. Two more heats remain, and excitement is mounting to see who might overtake these impressive results.

ENGINEERING SKILLS ARE STRENGTHENED

Reigate Grammar School held a Mega-Structures Challenge on 10th February in which their Year 8 students were tested on their engineering skills. 120 Students took part in The Sports Stadium challenge.The day involved using design and build techniques, combined with team-work, to create a structure linked to a sports venue.

One student said "The best bit about today was learning how to develop a structure... when before I had no idea how you would even start it."

Another student said "The best part of the activity was learning about the theoretical building techniques and capabilities."

WHAT BRIGHT SPARKS!

On 7th February 90 x Year 6 at Eastwick Junior became circuit detectives. Consolidated knowledge in a fun way, building on team-working skills.

Sponsored by Cllr Clare Curran.

What's My Line comes to Gordon's

123 year 10 students (15/16 yr olds) at Gordon’s School in West End Woking got to meet a huge variety of business professionals on Tuesday during a frantic 1 ½ hours of Careers Speed Dating. We had scientists, engineers, both civil & structural, a software developer, web designers, a copy writer, a book publisher, a costume designer, a creative learning manager, two PhD students studying Virology & Immunology, a primary school Headteacher, a lawyer, a community film producer, marketing & computer effects manager, a forensics expert, an architect, army logistics, a director of asset protection, technical engineers, a psychologist, a life coach, all of whom were passionate & enthusiastic about their chosen careers.

The students were put into small groups and had 5 minutes to quiz their business volunteer, who was only allowed to answer yes or no thereby requiring the students to try & guess their profession. A further 5 minutes of frantic questioning followed to ascertain exactly what they did for a living and how they had got where they were. A whistle sounded and another willing volunteer from a different profession presented themselves for questioning.

It was fast, frenetic and enormous fun with the students commenting afterwards “I was astonished by the range of different career choices available that I didn’t know existed”, and "I so enjoyed the variety of jobs and questioning their roles and really enjoyed meeting real life businessmen & women." Additionally many of the students felt that with the right attitude & experience anything is possible and many commented “This was a fantastic event and should be offered to all schools.” What was clear from their feedback was that it had really changed their perception of what the future holds for them & makes it seem less daunting.

SATRO Problem Solving Challenge - Blenheim High School heat

The 2014 SATRO Problem Solving Challenge last night moved on to Ewell, where the second heat was held at Blenheim High School. 33 teams representing 13 schools took part and there was plenty of energy and excitement as competitors tried to solve the problem that was set. Teams representing Coombe Boys School, Howard of Effingham School, Reed's School and Rosebery School were ultimately successful and they will compete again at the Final which will be held in the second half of March.

SATRO Problem Solving Challenge - Heathside School heat

Last night at Heathside School, Weybridge, 30 teams representing 16 schools in Surrey competed in the first of five heats marking the return of SATRO's highly successful Problem Solving Challenge for 2014. The problem that was set taxed the ingenuity and creativity of the students taking part, and resulted in wins for Fullbrook School, The Tiffin School and Claremont Fan Court School in the three age group competitions. Congratulations to these teams, and to the runners-up who all go forward to the Challenge Final which takes place at Charterhouse School on 20 March 2014.