University challenge

TWO RGS students have been selected to take part in a prestigious University of Cambridge design challenge.

Aimed at high-achieving learners interested in fields including engineering, design and natural sciences, this year’s workshop-based programme is centred around building a sustainable and healthy world.

It’s a challenge Year 12 students Ima Gin and Hattie Miles are looking forward to getting to grips with.

Working as a team, the girls, keen to come up with ideas to improve the environment, will attend a series of webinars to help and guide them with their project and will also have access to tutors from the university’s Homerton College, which runs the programme.

Ima, a boarding student from Guiseley, hopes to study mechanical engineering at university and sees the programme as a great opportunity to build on her skills.

The 17-year-old, who volunteers at the school’s STEM club and as a young leader, said: “It seems very interesting and I’m excited to find out more. The environment is so important, it impacts us all.”

Studying physics, maths, further maths and design technology at A-level, she hopes she and Hattie will win the chance to attend a residential course and a sustainability student conference in person, which is offered to those who are highly commended for their projects.

Hattie, from Hampsthwaite, also hopes to study engineering after RGS and is looking forward to designing a solution to an environmental problem.

Studying chemistry, maths, physics and further maths at A-level, says she’s particularly interested in the design aspect of the challenge.

The Homerton College Design Programme is intended to equip participants with key skills that are considered highly desirable by university admissions tutors such as communication, problem-solving and research design.

It’s primarily designed for students interested in engineering, design and natural sciences, but applicants also include those interested in other disciplines such as medicine, psychology, maths, geography, education, architecture and economics.