Pupils from Carrick Academy secured the top trophy at the annual Ayr Rotary Technical Tournament challenge, held at Belmont Academy and attended by all South Ayrshire secondary schools.
The project's initial aim was for each school team to agree on a group of "engineers" involved in the design, construction and testing of a four-wheel vehicle, which would run inside a pipeline and clear debris. Using components such as a battery, string, cardboard, glue gun, straws, saws and wood, teams were tasked to achieve the project aims and objectives.
Assessment and Competition
Assessment by Ayr Rotary members was based on six criteria: drawings and work sketches; design principles and analysis; reasons for choosing the final design; how the team was organised; how ideas were developed; and challenges which were overcome.
A Rotary spokesperson said: "Over the succeeding hours discussions were heard, frustrations were aired, foreheads were slapped, eyes rolled, air was expelled from lungs, but few tantrums were evident. This was teams in action without puerile frustrations. And then onto the final test. The dreaded pipeline."
Winning Teams
Three teams excelled in the competition. Marr Sparks (Marr College) won in the Foundation category, Carrick 2 (Carrick Academy) won in the Intermediary category, and Innovation Inc (Kyle Academy) won in the Advanced category.
Carrick Academy's Sophie, Imagen, Celeb and Samuel scored the highest points overall on the day, ultimately securing the top trophy, presented by Provost Iain Campbell.
Closing Remarks
A Rotary spokesperson added: "Congratulations to all participating pupils and thanks to Provost Iain Campbell and Director of Education, Scott Mulholland, who attended to present the prizes to the winning teams."
