INTEREST in engineering has really taken off at an academy where young students have spent a week doing experiments and building structures.
Bede Academy, in Blyth, has an engineering specialism and as students are aged from three-18 learning in the subject starts early.
The primary engineering week involved younger students in a host of activities from making and launching rockets to building bridges and even a Roman fort.
Students in Year 5 spent three mornings designing, building and launching hydro rockets with the help of Year 10 GCSE students Ryan Robertson, Thomas Henderson and Jordan Holmes from Bede Secondary.
Lauren Dixon, 10, of Blyth, explained: "First we drew a design of our rocket and labelled it with the different parts we needed. The main bit was a plastic bottle. Then we cut pieces of card to make a cone shaped top so it was aerodynamic and wings to help it fly straight.
"Then we decorated them. I called mine Loz because that's my nickname. It flew really well. It was really fun and I'm going to try to make some more at home."
Jordan, 15, who is studying graphics and engineering at GCSE, launched the rockets with Year 10 colleagues by pumping air into the bottles.
"We helped the classes by showing them how to make their rockets better. They seemed to really enjoy seeing them launch outside," he said.
Year 2 children got to take part in activities run by Bob Bower, of Architecture Workshops, including building a bridge out of elastic bands and sticks.
Bede Primary head teacher Irene Watson said: "Given the skills shortage in engineering and the heritage of our children's home area, it's important that we try to develop their interest and skills in the subject early.
"Our annual engineering week is a great way to supplement what they do in the classroom every week because it's a lot of fun and gives the children the chance to try something new."
