We have taken part in many IET Faraday Challenge Days over recent years and this year were delighted to host the event here at NHEHS on December 2nd. The IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology) is one of the world’s leading professional societies for the engineering and technology community. The Faraday Challenge Days give students the opportunity to research, design and make solutions to genuinely tough engineering problems and are run by a team of STEM professionals. Each IET Faraday Challenge Day involves six school teams, each made up of six Year 8 students who are interested in either Science, Design & Technology, Mathematics or Engineering. The Challenge is all about letting the students be creative and use their own problem solving skills to explore their capabilities as engineers and can lead to a CREST Award.

Three local schools were invited to take part – Drayton Manor High School, Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls and Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School.

The IET were interested in the views of young people in developing future hospitals, recognising that the needs of children and their families and friends may be different from those of adults. So they set the challenge around designing and engineering a prototype which could be used in a children’s hospital to make a stay more comfortable and relaxing for a young patient and their families, friends and carers. 

The aspiring engineers had to think carefully about their design – it had to include at least one electronic circuit, take into account sustainability (the NHS’ target of working net zero by 2050), and limiting energy usage and waste. All teams also had to complete a log showing how they designed their idea, demonstrating how it solved a problem and teamwork. Every team was given a supply of  different denomination of “Faradays” as currency to buy items at the shop, ranging from electronic components (eg LEDs, motor, leads) and construction materials, so they had to spend their money wisely! The students could also hire out other equipment such as scissors and sellotape.

The prototypes were assessed on various criteria including planning, development, how they used their budget, product engineering, presentation and teamwork. 

The teams came up with an impressive range of products, ranging from a sensory tunnel, a bed that could be lifted in order to view the outdoor or communal space, a teddy bear with different sensory activities and a book with animated characters that appear at appropriate times. 

Hosting activities like the Faraday Challenge forms part of NHEHS’ growing Partnership offer to local state schools in the Ealing area, and we look forward to having the opportunity to host the Challenge again next year. Congratulations and good luck to the winners on the day – Drayton Manor – who will now go on to the next stage of the competition!