19 August 2014

Costain is encouraging young people to consider a career in science and engineering by promoting Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland’s (RIBI) Technology Tournaments and raising their profile in the construction and engineering industry.

Bill Hewlett, Costain’s Technical Director, recently attended one of the RIBI’s Technology Tournaments, an immersive one-day programme aimed at young people of high school age. The event at Hoddesdon in the Lea Valley, Hertfordshire, attracted 212 students between the ages of 11 and 17, and gave them an opportunity to design, build and test solutions based on an engineering theme.

The students had to work out how to retrieve a hypothetical ‘radio-active tennis ball’ from within a confined ‘nuclear containment lining’. The students were placed in teams of four and assigned a task suitable to their age group, they then had to analyse the task, design and build a solution to solve it and then demonstrate the solution in front of their peers.

“We’re delighted to be involved with the RIBI’s Technology Tournaments. The event was all about teamwork, ingenuity, coming up with a solution and, more importantly, having fun with it,” said Bill.

Donna Wallbank, the RIBI Youth Service Chairman, added: “Costain has provided fantastic help and support in our Youth Programmes and its support of our Technology Tournaments has enabled us to reach more students across Great Britain & Ireland.”

Rotary is a worldwide network of over 1.2 million men and women from all walks of life who get together to help their communities. RIBI runs a number of annual national competitions for young people up to the age of 18 to develop their interests and skills. It also holds an annual awards scheme to recognise young people under 25 who have made a positive social impact through demonstrating good citizenship.

Costain’s participation complements Costain Cares, the Company’s long-term initiative to build a sustainable business that creates greater economic, environmental and social value. This includes helping to address skills shortages and creating job opportunities across the construction industry.

On behalf of the RIBI, Costain also hosted an event at the Institution of Civil Engineers’ (ICE) headquarters in London, where RIBI presented to leaders of the profession and reported on the progress it has made in rolling out its Technology Tournaments.

Rotarian Derek Upcott was awarded a certificate in recognition of his vision and early work in launching the Technology Tournaments, while Bill Hewlett received a certificate thanking Costain for its guidance and support in moving the Tournaments to their new, national platform.

RIBI has now achieved formal CREST Award status, which was awarded by the British Science Association, and is established at Big Bang, the national schools science and engineering event organised by Tomorrow’s Engineers.

“RIBI approached Costain through Paul Johnston, Commercial Director, to help them move the Technology Tournaments from engaging 2,000-3,000 schoolchildren annually, to one now being positioned nationally to reach 10,000+ schoolchildren,” said Bill.

“We used our professional position in the industry and our network of contacts to help set them on their path to achieving their goal. Many of our staff are STEM Ambassadors, so if you would like to engage a school near you, why not contact RIBI and help them set up a Technology Tournament,” Bill added.

For more information about the RIBI, please click on the link below:

Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI)

 

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