A Liverpool school has reached the final of a UK science and engineering competition.
Liverpool Life Sciences UTC (University Technical College) for 14 - 19 year olds is one of two schools in the North West (alongside Settlebeck School in Cumbria) who have projects in the Big Bank UK Young Scientists and Engineers Competition. The competition recognises and rewards young people’s science and engineering project work.
Finalists have the opportunity to win a range of prizes and could be crowned UK Young Engineer or UK Young Scientist of the Year, with a prize of £1,500. Liverpool Life Sciences UTC have five projects in the final, including setting up a basic veterinary skills lab, viruses and antibiotics and a bionic hand amongst others.
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Associate Director of The Big Bang programme, which is behind the contest, Phil McShane said: "This year we’ve had over 500 young people enter the competition and the standard of the projects has been really high. The Big Bang Competition judges were extremely impressed with the creativity and innovation shown to solve real-world challenges demonstrated by all the young people who participated.”
The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair is the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people in the UK aged 11 - 19. It takes place from June 21 to 23 at The NEC in Birmingham, where the winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday, June 22.
The bionic hand, which uses EMG (electromyography records the electrical impulses that your muscles produce) was created by Harvey Harwood. Harvey said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed working on my project. The Big Bang Competition has allowed me to showcase this to others and has motivated me to push myself and my project further for the future".
Sarah Linkman, a teacher at his school added: “The Big Bang Competition has always been a delight to participate in. We have entered our students into it for the past six years at least.
"Whenever a student or team has participated, it seems to spark such enthusiasm and motivation. It truly is wonderful to see".
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