Thu, 2 Feb 2012
Teenagers from across Norfolk and Suffolk will be charged with saving the world from a fuel apocalypse at the University of East Anglia next week.
The 13-14-year-olds will become '24 Hour Power People' as they think up ways of generating enough energy to support a city in a world deprived of fossil fuels.
They will research, design and demonstrate their own ‘future fuel’ from the energy sources available to them – wind, water and mechanical power.
The day-long event, entitled ‘Generation Generators: 24 Hour Power People’ takes place on Wednesday, February 8.
The aim is to help the pupils learn more about the real-life applications of STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering and maths.
More than 60 pupils will take part from schools including Great Yarmouth High School, Norwich Open Academy and Denes High School in Lowestoft.
They will work with industry experts from local companies including Lotus Cars, Aquaterra Energy, and Wind Elements, as well as UEA lecturers, to find a new energy solution.
Event co-ordinator Angela Carpenter from UEA said: “We will be getting the students to solve the most catastrophic, significant and terrifying crisis imaginable – a world without power.
“As the brightest and most effective minds in the land, it will be their responsibility to investigate and innovate new energy solutions.
“We will be introducing a group of STEM ambassadors - all experts in an appropriate field - to the students, who will then have the opportunity to ask questions before deciding which ambassador they want to work with.
“It is essential that they act fast because unless they’re successful, life as we know it could come to an end,” she added.
Organiser Dr Jill Cowie from the university’s school of Education and Lifelong Learning said: “We hope this will be a fun and engaging way for the pupils to find out how the subjects they’re learning at school are used in the real world.”
The activities have been organised with Camouflaged Learning – a Norfolk-based provider of accredited, curriculum-linked programmes in schools and colleges.
Managing director Matt Bagley said: “The students always have a brilliant day and are left feeling enthused, inspired and with their perceptions challenged.”
The event is one of three taking place throughout the year, and will culminate with a special Awards Evening for the brightest ideas on June 29.
They will research, design and demonstrate their own ‘future fuel’ from the energy sources available to them – wind, water and mechanical power.
The day-long event, entitled ‘Generation Generators: 24 Hour Power People’ takes place on Wednesday, February 8.
The aim is to help the pupils learn more about the real-life applications of STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering and maths.
More than 60 pupils will take part from schools including Great Yarmouth High School, Norwich Open Academy and Denes High School in Lowestoft.
They will work with industry experts from local companies including Lotus Cars, Aquaterra Energy, and Wind Elements, as well as UEA lecturers, to find a new energy solution.
Event co-ordinator Angela Carpenter from UEA said: “We will be getting the students to solve the most catastrophic, significant and terrifying crisis imaginable – a world without power.
“As the brightest and most effective minds in the land, it will be their responsibility to investigate and innovate new energy solutions.
“We will be introducing a group of STEM ambassadors - all experts in an appropriate field - to the students, who will then have the opportunity to ask questions before deciding which ambassador they want to work with.
“It is essential that they act fast because unless they’re successful, life as we know it could come to an end,” she added.
Organiser Dr Jill Cowie from the university’s school of Education and Lifelong Learning said: “We hope this will be a fun and engaging way for the pupils to find out how the subjects they’re learning at school are used in the real world.”
The activities have been organised with Camouflaged Learning – a Norfolk-based provider of accredited, curriculum-linked programmes in schools and colleges.
Managing director Matt Bagley said: “The students always have a brilliant day and are left feeling enthused, inspired and with their perceptions challenged.”
The event is one of three taking place throughout the year, and will culminate with a special Awards Evening for the brightest ideas on June 29.
