YOUNG designers have made a big bang after wowing judges at a national engineering competition.
Northallerton College students brought home the winning trophies in three separate categories at the regional heats of the North Yorkshire and Humberside National Science and Engineering Competition 2013.
The Big Bang design and engineering competition is a national event where students compete against over 250 entries to win awards for the high level of imagination and engineering skills displayed in their products.
It showcases the varied opportunities within science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), specifically aimed at young people.
Head of faculty for technology at Northallerton College Steve Marshall said: “Northallerton College has a track record of winning at the Big Bang event for the past eight years.
“This year has been no exception with three of our students taking first place in their respective categories.
“I think the secret of our success as a college is that we have an extremely well resourced department and give all of our students every encouragement and opportunity to fulfil their potential.”
Twenty Northallerton College technology students submitted entries into the competition with products ranging from textiles to resistant materials and graphics.
Megan Tonks, 17, of Northallerton, took first place in the graphics heat with her architectural model of a four bedroom dream house.
Sam Shuttleworth, 18, of Northallerton, was awarded the resistant materials winners trophy for his bespoke drinks unit and Sally Haylock, 17, of Osmotherley, won the textile heat with her concourse d’elegance outfit.
The commercial success of Sam and Sally’s products means that they have now both been entered into the flagship Big Bang national finals event at The NEC, Birmingham in March 2014.
“I was shocked to win my heat so to get to the national finals is unbelievable,” said Sally, who made her textile outfit to use in equestrian competitions.
“I’ve been a keen rider for 15 years and own three of my own horses, so I decided to design something that was practical and styled to myself and my horse.”
Megan, who based her architectural model on the dream house her parents would buy if they won the lottery, added: “It’s good to be able to carry on the winning tradition of past students at Northallerton College. I’m extremely proud to have been awarded a trophy.”
