Ayr Rotary Secondary Schools Technology Tournament

Scott Mulholland engaging with pupils

Rotary Technology Tournaments are a challenging and enjoyable way for young people to enrich their STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

The young people, typically in teams of four, have to solve an interactive technology-based task and are required to design, develop and build a solution with the materials supplied.

Tournaments culminate in the testing session when teams demonstrate their best solution to the task and can observe the efforts of competing teams.

Ayr Rotary Volunteers were on hand to guide the teams throughout and offer a helping hand where necessary to ensure everyone got the most from the experience. The tournament is judged by Ayr Rotary members with backgrounds in engineering, technology and design.

As STEM subjects continue to be a key part of the school curriculum, Rotary Technology Tournaments support not only academic learning, but teach skills such as teamwork, communication and timekeeping

This year in Belmont Academy, teams representing Ayr Academy, Belmont Academy, Carrick Academy, Kyle Academy and Queen Margaret Academy were challenged to assemble a space capsule with a launching and carrier vehicle. The completed model was expected to achieve a height of three meters through a hoop at test benches. Wood, paper, glue, tape, elastic bands and board were all supplied enabling the teams to design their very own working model. Three levels of competence were implemented to match age categories; Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced. The Foundation winners were Belmont Academy. Queen Margaret Academy won the intermediate and Carrick Academy won the Advanced category.

We were delighted Provost Ian Campbell and newly appointed Director of Education Scott Mulholland took the time out of their busy schedule to visit the event and also interact with many of the pupils attending.