Local schools join us in UK engineering challenge
Students from Duke’s Secondary School were joined by other local schools to compete in
the IET Faraday Challenge Day (FCD), supported brilliantly by Keira Sewell from the IET.
Students became real-life engineers for a day when they researched, designed and built
solutions to real engineering problems as part of the Institution of Engineering and
Technology’s (IET) Faraday Challenge Day on Wednesday 8 th June 2022.
This year’s challenge is in association with the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and
Estate Management (IHEEM) and was based on healthcare engineering. Six teams of year 8
students raced against the clock to solve a real-life engineering problem, putting their
engineering and technology knowledge and skills to the test. The teachers got involved too
and submitted their entry against other teacher teams across the nation.
The winning team included Christopher, Tom, Jessie, Amy and Kyle from Duke’s received a
£10 shopping voucher and a trophy, with 71 points out of 100.

The teacher’s team were ranked first in national teacher’s competition, and included staff
from Duke’s, Ashington Academy, Blyth Academy and Whytrig Middle School.

Mrs McCready, Science teacher at Duke’s, said “We all had a fantastic day. It was exciting
and challenging, and great to see such brilliant team work and creativity from the students.”
Natalie Moat, IET Faraday Education Manager, said: “Students who take part in the Faraday
Challenge Days this year will experience working as an engineer through hands-on and
practical engagement with real-life challenges relating to the Institute of Healthcare
Engineering and Estate Management (IHEEM).
“There is a huge demand for new engineers and technicians and we are confident that this
will challenge young people’s perception of engineers and inspire the next generation by
giving them an insight into the life of a real engineer and showing them just how exciting and
creative engineering really is.”
The events aim to encourage more young people to study and consider exciting and
rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) by using creativity,
innovation and problem-solving skills.