Five Oundle pupils have been awarded Arkwright Engineering Scholarships by the STEM education charity, The Smallpeice Trust. Sean (S), Ryan (Ldr), Georgia (D), Daniel (Sr) and Andy (B) were selected following an assessment which looked at their academic, practical and leadership skills in STEM through an examination and interview process that spanned two terms last year.
The academic year 2024 saw a record total of 1532 applications submitted for the scholarship programme. Scholars received a financial award for the purchase of materials to complete a personal technical project or enhance curriculum projects.
Successful applicants were also matched to a sponsoring organisation that can offer support with valuable hands-on experience, support for a curriculum project and a personal mentor who can help with studies and career planning.
New for 2024, the Trust awarded a Virtual Arkwright Engineering Scholarship pathway for pupils who passed the rigorous application process but were unable to be matched to a sponsor for in-person mentorship and financial assistance. Instead, online mentors, Connect Days, enrichment resources and networking opportunities are scheduled.
Georgia’s scholarship is sponsored by the Roger Raymond Charitable Trust. The project she presented in her application was a “kinetic energy roundabout” in which she built a 3D printed model of a playground roundabout that generated energy using a dynamo. She is currently working on a project using the CNC machines in the Patrick Engineering Centre, and is a member of the Greenpower Racing Team. She plans to apply for an engineering course at university.
Daniel is a senior leader of the Greenpower Racing Team, which is designing and building a fully electric race car, to be ready in the summer. He used this project as part of the application, and was matched for sponsorship by Coventry University. Among his interests, he is considering a degree in automotive or mechanical engineering.
Sean developed a proof-of-concept low budget insulated bottle for his project, drawing upon his interest in materials engineering, which he is considering for a university degree.
Andy’s engineering interests combine with computing and AI. He hopes to be able to design innovative solutions that help improve people’s health and well-being. For his project he developed an app that used an algorithm to monitor users’ posture. Notifications were sent when bad posture was detected. He is deciding between computer science and engineering for his university application.
The Arkwright Engineering Scholarships programme is the most prestigious scholarship scheme of its type in the UK. The aim is to identify, inspire and nurture school-age pupils to be the country’s future leaders in engineering, computing and technical design.
