 Johnson Matthey Trophy
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Twenty of the teams (Years 8 & 9 students) tackled the Basic Challenge assimilating a train wreck, which had derailed a hazardous chemical container. Their task was to design and build a device that would sort different coins into the same value groups. The coins they were given to sort were 1p and 2p pieces. The senior (Year 12) students had to a similar coin sorting device except their device had to be able to not only sort 5 different types of coins into their value groups but display the value in each group. The coins they were given to sort were 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p and 20p pieces The students arrived at the venue without any knowledge of the task they would face. A brief introduction and they spent the first 30 minutes planning and drafting their portfolios. Their dedication to the tasks was very impressive. Here was an excellent challenge encouraging them to work as a team, with in a very tight time schedule. After the transport vehicle had taken shape the team had to test the effectiveness of the rescue, before an audience of their peers and Rotarian and visiting judges. The winning teams in both the Basic and the Advanced schedules took back to school cheques for £100 to purchase equipment to enhance their design technology centre. Six schools from the three tier pyramids in Royston, Buntingford and Puckeridge - Edwinstree Middle, Greneway, Meridian, .Ralph Sadleir Middle, Roysia Middle Schools and Freman College are now committed to participating in this annual contest, now in its fifth year. This year the Roysia Middle Team 1 and Meridian Upper Team were the worthy winners of the Basic and Advance respectively. In the Basic Freman College Team 3 were runners up and Greneway Middle Team 1 were placed third. All teams can feel proud of their achievements. The host organizers from the Rotary Club of Royston place great store on promoting challenging experiences for the pupils and students in the district and win praise and appreciation from the head teachers, teachers and youngsters. The event also won support from a small corps of judges from local businesses , who joined the Rotarian experts in assessing the performances. The Johnson Matthey Chemicals plc gave a special glass engraved award to the most innovative team, which was presented by President of the Rotary Club of Royston, Neil Heywood. North Hertfordshire District Council made a grant to the promotional budget. |
 
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Eighty
eight young men and women students, working in teams of four, tested their
innovative skills in the very successful Rotary Technology Tournament at The
Cambridge Motel near Royston in Hertfordshire.