Activities Week - Design Challenge

As part of the schools activities week, groups of pupils chose to do particular challenges. For the Design Group a series of challenges were tackled throughout the day.

Challenge 1 - Air Powered Cars
Using a range of limited materials, pupils designed, constructed then raced air powered cars





Challenge 2 - Structures

Pupils had to build a structure from art straws capable of spanning a hole and supporting as much weight as possible whilst remaining lightweight.





Challenge 3 - Water Carriers

Given only 30 minutes, the pupils had to design and model a device capable of carrying a cup of water... on their head!





A relay race was held to determine the winner.

More year 7 google sketch up

Year 7 learning how to follow a path while trying to create cups.

Year 6 Taster Days

Year 6 and pupils from other schools spent a day at school learning about life in the senior school. In DT pupils made monster photo holders.

Year 7 Google Sketchup

Glass wear from year 7. Learning to rotate an object

AS mock innovation challenge

The AS groups are hard at work doing a practice challenge today.


They are currently designing innovative products for public spaces. They will be modelling them this afternoon.

Their real exam is in a few weeks time - good luck!

Liz finally makes a model!

Liz proudly shows off her festival product. A device that fits over a Wellington boot for storing all your festival essentials.

Technology Tournament Winners!

This year Silcoates entered two teams in to the Rotary Technology Tournament. One team of four year 9 students and one team of four Lower Sixth students. Given limited materials and equipment the design challenge was to manufacture a crane which incorporated an electronic motor that had to lift a given weight. The crane had to travel along a rail and furthermore it needed to be moved and operated from a distance of 1 metre away.




Both teams overcame endless challenges and produced a working model as well as demonstrating excellent teamwork skills.




The Lower Sixth team came first in the advanced category and were presented with the Rotary Technology Tournament trophy as well as a £50 cheque for the school. The year 9 students came sixth. Both teams were a pleasure to spend time with and they were a credit to themselves and the school.