Local schools take on Thames Water Challenge at LSBU Southwark schoolchildren were testing the waters when they took part in the interactive Thames Water Challenge at London South Bank University (LSBU).
The event, which took place on Wednesday 13 July in LSBU's state of the art laboratories, was designed to engage young people in engineering and science.
Deputy Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Althea Smith, joined LSBU staff student ambassadors from the London Engineering Project, which is based at the University, to cheer on pupils from St Thomas the Apostle and Walworth Academy in Southwark.
The schoolchildren, aged 14-15 years old, were challenged to create a water supply network from 'reservoir to tap', planning and designing routes, before making them using kit boxes, and finally testing them. They had to consider issues around cost, efficiency and responses to customer grievances.
The event ended with a prize-giving ceremony, also attended by LSBU's Vice Chancellor, Professor Martin Earwicker, and Professor Rao Bhamidimarri, Executive Dean of LSBU's Faculty of Engineering, Science and The Built Environment, before the schoolchildren were then taken on a tour of more of the University's laboratories, with demonstrations from LSBU academics and technicians.
Professor Rao Bhamidimarri said: "We were delighted to welcome pupils from St Thomas the Apostle to the University to take part in the Thames Water Challenge.
"It's such a fun and engaging event which also teaches some valuable skills. We hope that the day will have helped to inspire some budding civil and environmental engineers and scientists of the future."
The London Engineering Project was set up by the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2005 as part of the Government's 10 year plan to engage young people in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Posted: 15 July 2011
