Pupils from Downshire Primary School, Hillsborough, are celebrating after coming runner up in the Primary STEM Challenge award at the Young Innovators exhibition at the Odyssey arena.

As part of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) Smart Energy Project, the primary school was tasked with designing a renewable energy technology plan that could help their school reduce its carbon footprint. With the guidance of their mentor Stuart Kerr, an engineer from Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), the students have built models of a solar water heater, wind turbine and a solar powered desk fan in order to demonstrate the principles behind renewable energies, as well as preparing a presentation for the Young Innovators event.

-- Advertisement --

Speaking at the event Stuart said: "I'm delighted that the pupils received an award that recognises all of their hard work. This event is a great opportunity for the pupils to experience how subjects like Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) can be fulfilling and fun to do. There is a shortage of technical and scientific skills across a range of industries. NIE is a strong supporter of IET and Sentinus projects and is pleased to be associated with schemes such as these which nurture scientific interest and create practical opportunities to develop valuable career skills."

(CD/GK)