Youngsters challenged in Downham Market technology tournament

Published: 15:03, 14 March 2016

Downham Town Hall Rotary Club Technology Tournement.Pictured students. FLtoR Lilley Slatter. Lilli-Mae Flack. Judges Joe Whitmore and Andy Fall. Colin Mantle. Nina Peater. ANL-160903-171424009

Budding young engineers put their skills to the test during a technology tournament last week.

More than 60 teenagers were challenged to create a bridge during the annual tournament organised by the Rotary Club of Downham.

Downham Town Hall Rotary Club Technology Tournement.Pictured FLtoR Mike Coles. with students Will Freeman. Peter Stratford. ANL-160903-171437009

Youngsters from Downham Academy, Iceni Academy, St Clement’s High School and Witchford Village College took part in this year’s event, which aims to improve teenagers’ understanding of design, technology and simple engineering.

The pupils were posed the challenge to create a bridge, with lifting sections, across the entrance of a busy port during last Wednesday’s tournament.

Teams of four had three hours to design and construct their models using card, dowels, pulleys and string.

At the end of the allotted time every group had produced a working model.

Downham Town Hall Rotary Club Technology Tournement. ANL-160903-171413009

The tournament was sponsored by Downham Market Development and supported by RAF Marham.

The difficult task of judging the contest fell to John Beer, Lee Forbes, Wng Cdr Andy Fell, Joe Whitmore and Dr Rob James.

Foundation level winners and runners-up were the two teams from Witchford Village College.

While at the Intermediate level two teams from Downham Academy scooped the runners-up and winners’ medals .

Downham Town Hall Rotary Club Technology Tournement.Pictured FLtoR Instructor Ray Starling with student Martin Warner. ANL-160903-171635009

Downham Academy also won the overall prize for the best working model.

Mr Beer, chief executive of Downham Market Development, congratulated the youngsters.

He said: “Helping young people to learn new technologies and providing them with educational and employment opportunities is central to what Market Development’s Centre for Advanced Knowledge Engineering is going to deliver, so we are delighted to sponsor this event.”

The firm will be re-developing the former RAF Downham site into the £170 million educational and business hub which could create more than 4,600 permanent jobs.

Kings Lynn