YOUNG pupils in the town will be given the opportunity to attend an award-winning project led by water provider United Utilities.

Eighty year nine students from The Challenge Academy Trust will be invited to attend exciting engineering workshops in a bid to encourage younger generations to want to work within the industry – with a particular focus on female students and students from deprived backgrounds.

The main project will focus on the children working in groups to develop a plan of how to build a new community centre in the Lake district.

Having to overcome many obstacles along the way, the tasks set will test the youngsters problem-solving skills and will conclude with a trip to the Halliwell Jones Stadium, where they will present their ideas to a panel.

Students from Beamont Collegiate Academy, Bridgewater High School, Padgate Academy, Penketh High School and Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School will take part.

Some of the hurdles presented within the programme will include testing appropriate building designs, getting equipment and materials to a remote location, and ensuring the completed building has the required amenities.

This is along with the added pressure of a set budget and the consideration of environmental and sustainable factors.

Each week a mentor from United Utilities will help the groups with specific tasks, and they will have use of the purpose-built STEM Centre and FabLab at Beamont Collegiate Academy, sponsored by United Utilities, where they can use equipment such as 3D printers to help bring their visions to life.Warrington Guardian: Students from Penketh High will also be putting their skills to the testStudents from Penketh High will also be putting their skills to the test (Image: Newsquest)

Joanne Rands, head of process delivery at United Utilities, said: “We are really proud of our challenge project for helping pupils explore a number of engineering options for their future studies and careers.

“Giving youngsters the chance to try their hands at some real-life tasks is a fantastic way to showcase the importance of engineers, and by working directly with some of our team, they will also gain valuable insight into what a career in engineering could look like.

“Our programme has a particular focus on encouraging girls and students from deprived backgrounds into STEM careers, and over the past five years youngsters who took part say they have become more interested in this area as a result of the challenge.

“This year’s pupils made a great start with the first task at our induction session, and we can’t wait to see them develop their ideas over the next few months.”

Chris Hillidge, director of STEM at The Challenge Academy Trust, added: “We are proud of our ongoing partnership with United Utilities, which has been so successful over the past six years.

“The TCAT Challenge gives Warrington students the opportunity to work alongside real industry professionals on a real-world engineering project over a five-month period.

“The experience they gain during the competition will benefit them immensely as they move through education into the world of work with teamwork, presentation skills and resilience just some of the skills that the pupils will develop.

“TCAT pupils thrive on challenge and through our innovative collaboration with United Utilities, they get the opportunity to show just how creative and innovative they can be.”