The team of five 12-13 year olds beat of stiff competition from winners of other regions to take their place in the grand final at ICE’s headquarters in Great George Street, Westminster, on Monday 27 June.
The team won the ICE East Midlands regional final, coming first in six teams of schools across the region.
Each of ICE’s 12 UK regions have held a similar event and six of these (including the Duston School) have been shortlisted to take part in the national final.
The Create Sport challenge is the idea of ICE President, Peter Hansford, to encourage more young people to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects with a view to taking a degree in engineering and joining the profession.
The Challenge requires the pupils to design and build a sporting venue of the future and complete a project report outlining the choices they have made in their design.
An eminent panel of Civil Engineers were suitably impressed with the team’s model of ‘The Nene Valley Stadium’ at the regional final, held at Nottinghamshire CCC’s Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on 18 May.
The innovative design features a multi-purpose sports venue encased in a rugby ball shape with a curved roof.
It also includes a rolling pitch or ‘baking tray’, a 100 metre long, 30cm high 60 metre wide metal container that houses a grass pitch suitable for football, rugby and American football, this can be rolled out to feature hard courts suitable for tennis, badminton and basketball.
This could also be used for concerts, conferences and trade fairs when not in use as a sports ground.
The project report submitted is thorough, detailing issues including:
- Environmental sustainability and wildlife habitat issues;
- Energy usage;
- Technical issues, such as the stresses in construction;
- Health and safety issues.
As well as displaying the model and project report, the team will also be expected to take part in a mock public enquiry with judges, guests and other finalist teams.
The scenario for the mock enquiry will see them respond to issues including: traffic congestion, benefits to other local businesses, the environmental credentials for the design and the other potential uses for the community.
Teams will be marked on how they present their ideas, engage the audience and how they respond to questions raised.
Malcolm Jackson, Regional Director, ICE East Midlands, commented: “I am delighted that the Duston School have made it through to the grand final of the ICE Create Sport Challenge.
“A lot of thought, effort and hard work has gone into designing and making their entry. The team of East Midlands judges were very impressed with their design and fingers crossed the national judges will be too!”
The winning teams will be eligible for a range of prizes including exclusive visits to major sports and engineering sites, cash and signed memorabilia. For more information, visit: www.createsport.org.uk.