Appliance of science has Avoch Primary Pupils on top of the world with clutch of engineering award wins and an extra special accolade for inspirational teacher Cath Milne
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Avoch Primary School has brought home a host of engineering awards this week from two separate award ceremonies.
The haul came from the University of Dundee and the ERA Foundation – David Clark Award in London.
Six pupils attended the University of Dundee to collect their primary engineer award on Wednesday evening.
The competition was open to all children from Primary One to Primary Seven.They were challenged to think of problems in the world around them and design an invention that would overcome the problem. There were a lot of fantastic designs ranging from a phone-charging bike to a brush with built in detangling spray.
Across the region there were only a few winners for each age group, so Avoch Primary were delighted to have four winners in the Primary 3/2 class, one in the Primary 4 and another in the Primary 5.
Avoch Primary School teacher, Cath Milne scooped up the prestigious David Clark Award 2022, presented by David Clark himself at the ERA Foundation annual dinner and lecture held in London, on Tuesday in recognition for her outstanding contribution to teaching engineering to primary aged pupils. It is won by only two teachers across the UK who have gone beyond what is required in the teaching syllabus and demonstrated an extraordinary vision for engineering and a high level of creativity in shaping the work of young people by inspiring students and showcasing real world engineering in the classroom.
Avoch Primary School head teacher, Lynsey Third, said: “As a school we feel on Cloud 9, the recognition for excelling in engineering for both pupils and teachers is an outstanding achievement, and we are all feeling very proud.
"Cath Milne is well known at Avoch Primary School for the support she provides to colleagues and her work in delivering inspiring lessons and organising STEM activities at the school and in the local Associated School Group (ASG) of 7 primary schools. Cath has brought engineering to life in her classrooms at Avoch Primary School and helped shape how we deliver engaging STEM lessons across the ASG.”
The school is planning to use the Clark Award prize funding to benefit a large number of children across the school to continue to provide excellent engineering and STEM experiences.
The funding is hoping to provide –
• ‘Engineering’ kits’ that can be used by all ages in the school for hands-on projects.
• Training to improve on areas knowledge of complex Engineering subjects like coding and an intensive residential CPD at the York STEM centre
• Development of new projects and resources for students around hydraulics and pneumatics.
• Training and development for staff in the school and ASG.
• Trips to industries give students real life context to the STEM experiences, including potentially organising a trip to the Large Hadron Collider in CER.
