Institution news
The Plymouth Area Committee's day of family fun was run in partnership with the Plymouth and Devon Schools Sailing Association (PDSSA). The design-and-build workshops – with an impressive 30 teams of six people taking part – as well as the race across the harbour, were part of Plymouth’s Ocean City Festival held 5-27 September.
Oliver Colvile, MP for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, attended the day and heard about the Institution’s current work promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education and careers.
He said: “The cardboard boat race is a great event which really encourages young people to take an interest in engineering and pursue it as a career. STEM education is our children’s future as it creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and facilitates the next generation of innovators. Innovation leads to new processes and products that sustain our economy.”
Organisers Will Newby, Chair of the Devon and Cornwall Committee, and Mike Elliott, the Committee’s Social Secretary, explained the purpose of the event.
They said: “We aim to inspire young people to choose a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics. Through the cardboard boat race, which is now far bigger than ever before, we are presenting these subjects in a fun and interactive way. We’re also promoting the local area committee of the Institution and the activities of the PDSSA. It was a great occasion; we have even got several teams keen to register for next year’s race!”
The contest was open to the general public and comprised three different activities, which took place simultaneously on the Commercial Wharf. The activities were developed in partnership with Caroline Alliston FIMechE from Technology for Fun.
Entrants to the race team workshops and sailing competition were assisted by members of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology.
After lots of fun creating small ships from cardboard and sticky tape, two members of each team sailed the boats around the harbour course, winning awards for most economical boat, best design and best endurance, among others. Qualified instructors from the PDSSA provided safety boat cover, buoyancy aids, and wetsuits. The winner was the last one to sink.
Meanwhile, staff and STEM ambassadors from the National Marine Aquarium demonstrated how some marine organisms survive by using systems replicated in modern technology – including the octopus, which uses jet propulsion to swim. In addition, engineers from Babcock International brought along an interactive exhibit which showed how physics is used in submarine and ship design.
Calling on audience members to supply some pedal power, volunteers from Engineers without Borders (EWB) and the Institution held an interactive demonstration of an emergency water pump. The ‘rope-water pump’ is often used in remote locations or disaster recovery situations, and constructed from basic materials. As it is driven by bicycle parts, participants had the opportunity to operate it, with a competition to see who could pump the most water in a minute!
Peter Finegold, the Institution's Head of Education and Skills, congratulated all of the participants. He said: “Engineering is what humans do – using our intelligence to solve real world problems. Fantastic initiatives, like the cardboard boat race, develop young people’s creative thinking, that one day might be applied to solving the planet’s energy challenges or treating disease. And they have a great time too!”
Construction of the pump was sponsored by Babcock International and Rockets and Rascals.
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Plymouth Area Committee.