STEPS to Engineering K’nex Challenge held at Lifetime Lab

10th May 2006: Congratulations to the winning team of Christopher Garde and Ian Harrington (cheered on by third team mate David Calnan) from Glasheen Boys National School and runners up Laura Connolly and Alice Calnan from St. Joseph’s National School in Skibereen who beat off stiff competition in the Cork regional final of the STEPS to engineering K’NEX Challenge at Lifetime Lab. The pupils from Glasheen and Skibereen will now represent Cork in the National Final in Dublin on June 20th.

Pupils from 500 schools are competing in regional finals of the Challenge around the country.

The Cork pupils have all won their place in the regional final, by winning the competition at the classroom stage.

At the regional final they faced another challenge using their imagination, creativity and ingenuity to design and make a new model using a specially created K’NEX kit.

Margie McCarthy, STEPS to engineering Manager said: “The STEPS to engineering K’NEX challenge brings the wonderful and exciting world of engineering into the lives of the young pupils taking part. Engineering plays a part in everything around us from roller coasters to buildings, mobile phones and exciting new technologies. This competition is all about opening up young people’s eyes to much important engineering is in their lives.”

The STEPS to engineering K’NEX Challenge is a joint initiative between STEPS to engineering, Discover Science and Engineering and Hasbro who manufacture K’Nex.

STEPS to engineering is an Engineers Ireland programme, supported by Discover Science and Engineering, Department of Education and Science, FAS and industry. The programme aims to encourage primary and post-primary students to explore the world of science and engineering and raise awareness about engineering as a career choice.

L to R: Michael O’Brien A/Director of Services, Denis Ring (UCC), Christopher Garde, Ian Harrington (Glasheen BNS), and Maria Lynch (Arup).

Further information:
Margie McCarthy
STEPS to engineering
Tel: 01 6090244/ 087 2283350