STARS OF THE SHOW

FROM wave power to safer jets, Plymouth's young engineers and scientists of the future are already doing their bit to make the world a better place.

Teams of Year 12 Plymouth pupils have spent the past six months working with local companies and academics to find new solutions to old problems.

The students showed their work at Plymouth University, alongside teams from schools across Devon.

The pupils were part of the nationwide Engineering Education Scheme run by the Education Development Trust.

Teams of four students and a teacher worked with local companies and engineers from Plymouth University on real scientific, engineering and technological problems.

Their projects began with a "job interview" last year, and ended with the public presentation of their work.

They produced highly professional technical reports, and had to give 15-minute presentations to a team of assessors, before their projects went on display at the university's Sherwell Centre.

Charity Watkins, EDT regional director, based in Plymouth, said: "The scheme is an amazing way to develop company staff and school teachers, but the real stars are the students who come up with innovative solutions. Many will decide to study engineering as a direct result of this scheme, which is great for the future of UK plc. To cope with the rigours of AS and do a heavyweight scheme like this is not for the faint-hearted," she said.

"Those who get through it are leaps and bounds ahead of their peers because of the skills they learn. They are so work-ready compared with their classmates." She said many projects had a commercial value and saved companies thousands of pounds.

In one project, pupils from Tavistock College hope to cut nearly a fifth from the cost of manufacturing computer shelves for their sponsoring company, Rittal CSM Ltd.

Dr Simon Wormleighton, headmaster of Plymouth College, whose team built a hi-tech flight simulator for Atlantic Inertial Systems, said: "This work gives them extra drive and inspiration and makes the learning come alive."

Matt Hodge, of Eggbuckland Community College, who helped to design a prototype system for Babcock to launch and recover superyachts' tenders at sea, said he was considering an engineering career with the RAF.

Professor Neil James, dean of the university's Faculty of Technology, said the world was facing serious challenges and needed to enthuse the younger generation to find the solutions.

"The message is getting out that engineers, scientists and mathematicians can make a difference to the world," he said. "The Government has realised that that is where the future lies."

LINK: find out more at www.etrust.org.uk