Youth Projects

Two more very successful Junior Technology Tournaments were held week beginning 22nd June at St Martin At Shouldham C Of E VA Primary and All Saints Academy in Stoke Ferry.  The pupils enjoyed meeting a challenging task designed to give them an insight into team working, planning, and carrying out the task successfully.,

Senior School Technology Tournament

17 teams of ingenious budding engineers representing Downham Market Academy, Iceni Academy at Methwold, and Terrington St Clements High School, met to tackle the latest senior school technology challenge set by Downham Market Rotary.  Members of Rotary ran the day led by Rotarian Alan Culley.  The teams were faced with using limited materials and a few tools, to try to construct a launch pad capable of launching a ‘satellite’ (actually a practice or air golf ball) to a height of 3 metres. On the way up the ‘satellites’ had to pass through a hoop 1 metre above the launch pad and points were scored the closer to the launch pads the satellites then landed.

Each team of four students had to put together a portfolio of work to demonstrate their planning and creativity teamwork, then they put their practical skills to the test to see if their ideas actually worked.  It turned out to be a creative and fun day and the class winners were: 

Foundation Level: Terrington St Clements Academy, runners up Downham Market Academy

Intermediate Level: Terrington St Clements Academy, runners up: Downham Market Academy

The Challenge Shield for the best teamwork were from: Iceni Academy, Methwold

The RYLA (Rotary Youth Leacership Award) programme is strongly supported by our Club. Each year we try to recruit at least two candidates to the week-long event at Grafham Water..... Click on the RYLA logo to take you through to their website with lots of information including videos shot at one of the RYLA events.

What is it?

A Personal development 8 day seminar (7 nights) involving Water Sports, Practical Initiative tests, Development of Interpersonal Skills, Camping, Map reading, Problem solving, Computer based business game, Lectures and presentations.

VENUE: Grafham Water Centre, Near Huntingdon

Date: June 2026

WHO IS IT FOR?   Young Adults 18-26

Please email us with the subject RYLA if you would like more information or visit ryla.co.uk

The course costs £825 per candidate and the Rotary Club of Downham Market will consider funding support.  Companies are invited to apply for places on the course.  Please email: downhammarketrotary@hotmail.co.uk

This course changes lives!  Every one of the candidates who have attended this come away with confidence and leadership skills that wil benefit not only themselves but also their employers. A course like this, purchased on the commercial market, would cost, at the minimum, £2000 per candidate.

 Visit www.ryla.co.uk to read more.