Technology Tournament 2011

At the annual Rotary Technology Tournament, held recently in Windermere, a team from Ullswater Community College triumphed in the Advanced Level category, prevailing over 28 competing teams from other secondary schools in the county.

The sequel to the competition took place on Tuesday in front of fellow students and staff, when President of Penrith Rotary, John Brookfield presented the team with their trophy and personal certificates.

Rotarian Syd Monk, Chairman of Youth Opportunities explained the task was to design and build a mobile crane equipped with electrically driven gears and pulleys, they had to utilise the materials and tools provided. At Advanced Level the teams were required to build the crane with the ability to be lowered under the bridge and then, by using its motor and pulleys, was required to lift an object from the site and return, via the bridge to its starting point and unhitch its load. Judging was based upon planning, design analysis, development and final product testing. After briefing each team was allowed one hour to plan and design their crane; they were then given 3hours and 20 minutes, including lunch, to complete the project. During this time they were constantly assessed by the judges.

The Ullswater team of four, comprised, Maisie Cooke, 16yrs from Croglin, Jonathan Pickup, 16 yrs from Skelton, James Temple 16 yrs from Raughton Head and Chris Jackson 17 yrs from Penrith.

 Rhonda Dockray, Product Design Teacher and Head of Design & Technology said,

'I chose the team to bring different skills and aptitudes to the task. Some people like to organise and lead, others focus on the task; and then we had a scientific mathematical approach which works well when combined with an aptitude for engineering. This proved to be a winning formula and I am delighted with their achievement.'

Headmaster, Nigel Pattinson said the competition fostered team working within a technological challenge and he was delighted that the team had met and competed against a wide range of other students. He thanked Penrith Rotary Club for helping to bring the school and the community closer.