Unveiling Tomorrow's Engineers: Lockheed Martin’s Space Engineering Challenge Inspires Young Minds at Portsmouth Grammar School

STEMWorks successfully conducted its Space Engineering Challenge at Portsmouth Grammar School on Monday, April 29, 2024. The event, generously funded by Lockheed Martin, aimed to introduce young minds to the vast opportunities available in the field of Engineering. This initiative specifically targeted year 9 students who are at a crucial juncture in having just chosen their GCSE subjects.

One of the highlights of the day was an inspiring session delivered by Group Managing Director Emlyn Taylor, who shared his personal journey into the world of engineering and shed light on the work carried out by Lockheed Martin. Students benefit greatly from hearing and observing the diverse career journeys individuals have embarked on. Each journey is unique, offering valuable insights into the various paths to success.

Following the talk, students engaged in the Mission to Mars challenge, which presented them with various obstacles to overcome.

Tasked with constructing a communication structure capable of hosting a mechanism to raise a satellite with a red light at the top, students had to think critically and work collaboratively in teams of five. The catch? The mechanism to raise the satellite and activate the light was to be operated by a robot programmed by the students themselves. Additionally, the teams were required to retrieve three components of a rocket scattered across the planet's surface.

While the level of success varied among the teams, each managed to build a functional structure with lights and a working mechanism. Furthermore, all groups successfully programmed a robot—an entirely new experience for them—to navigate a course and trigger their electronics. While some teams faced challenges in getting their robot to activate the mechanism and light, a little more fine-tuning would have ensured their success.

Witnessing the students' problem-solving skills, teamwork, and communication throughout the day was truly gratifying. STEMWorks extends its appreciation to Lockheed Martin for providing these students with a remarkable opportunity to delve into the world of engineering and innovation. A thank you to the Lockheed Martin Ambassadors for generously sharing their time, knowledge, and expertise with the students.