Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock,
today expressed his delight at the success of Basildon primary schools in the
regional final of the Primary Engineer competition last Friday.
Primary Engineer runs annual challenge events for schools enabling
them to come together and compete against one another with model cars they have
worked on in the class room. These may be made from shoe boxes or from
motorised kits provided the organisation. Their aim is to get children up
and down the country excited about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Maths) subjects and inspired to take up careers in these fields in later life.
Basildon was represented by five primary schools in the final,
with Ryedene Primary School triumphant in two out of the three categories.
Ryedene’s Policemobile won the
award for best theme whilst their ‘Marvellous Medics’ won the prize for Best
Communicators. Great Berry Primary School’s ‘Master Engineers’ also came second
in the Best Communicators category.
Local MP
Stephen Metcalfe has long been a champion of STEM subjects in South Basildon
and East Thurrock and eagerly accepted the invitation to join the event.
He later
commented: “I was delighted to attend the regional final and even happier to
see Basildon so strongly represented. The children did their schools and the
local area proud and I would like to congratulate all who took part whether
they won an award or not.”
“As well
as being an enjoyable event, I hope that the children have been inspired to
take up STEM subjects. It is so important that we continue to build on the
already strong engineering base in Basildon and these children are going to
play a key role in that. By showing them that engineering can be fun and
exciting through events such as this, we are literally laying the foundations
for a better future for Basildon and Thurrock.”
