engineering and technology
Leon’s words inspire
SecEd reports on the
by the Royal academy of engineering, an institution
that brings together the country’s most eminent
launch of the 2010 Bosch
engineers from all disciplines to promote excellence in
the science, art and practice of engineering.
Chief executive Philip Greenish said: “advances in
Technology Horizons
engineering have formed the cornerstone of civilisation
and responsible development in the future will rely
Award, a challenging
heavily on engineers and technologists.
“the greatest challenges we face today – addressing
essay-writing competition
climate change, providing sufficient energy and
food, and ensuring proper healthcare – all depend on
for young people focused
engineering skills and technical expertise.
“there are many excellent examples in medicine of
the vital role of engineering – modern hip replacements
on engineering and
and heart valve repairs would be impossible without the
amazing skill of the engineering teams that designed
technology. We also
and continue to improve them.”
publish last year’s winning
Entering for 2010
Supported by the Royal academy of engineering, this
year’s Bosch technology Horizons award is now open
essay
to all young people aged 14 to 24.
entrants are asked to write a short essay in answer to
a question that encourages them to explore a wide range
‘
wanted to highlight the fact that as well of engineering and technology topics.
I
as an energy crisis, there is also a water crisis this year’s question is: “Is engineering and
which doesn’t get nearly enough attention but technology essential for future development?”
which through technology we can solve.” By selecting an area they are passionate about,
these are the words of Leon Zhang, 15, entrants get to test their writing skills and provide their
a student at Urmston Grammar School in opinion on the impact engineering and technology has
Manchester, who won the 14 to 18 category of on their chosen subject.
last year’s Bosch technology Horizons award. the competition has two age categories: 14 to 18
the competition challenges young people aged and 19 to 24. the first place winner of the younger
between 14 and 24 to write a short essay in answer to a age group will receive £700 and second place receives
question related to engineering and technology. £350. there will also be five highly commended
the question for last year’s competition was: “How finalists who will be awarded £150 each.
can technology and engineering provide innovative For the second age group of 19 to 24-year-olds,
solutions to today’s global challenges?” the winning essay will win a top prize of £1,000 with
with entries now open for the 2010 competition, a second prize of £500. the five highly commended
we have the honour of being able to publish Leon’s finalists will each receive £250
winning essay in full. the deadline is March 22, 2010, and all the finalists
the Bosch technology Horizons award is supported will be invited to attend a presentation day in July at
the Royal academy of engineering in London, where
Young talent: Leon Zhang is pictured with they can meet leaders in the world of science and
Peter Fouquet, the UK president of Bosch, technology.
after collecting his award for his inspiring More information, along with resources for teachers
essay on the future of technology at the and advice on how to structure a winning essay, can be
Royal Academy of Engineering last year found at www.bosch.co.uk/technologyhorizons SecEd
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How can technology and engineering provide innovative solutions to today’s
global challenges?
By Leon Zhang, 15, Urmston Grammar School, Manchester – winner of the 14 to 18 category
of the 2009 Bosch Technology Horizons Award
UK education news, best practice features,
Take this time to think, for just a moment. In the past second, one and a half acres of rainforest were cut
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down, destroying the homes of many species of wildlife.
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In the past minute, the total amount of energy used in the UK was the equivalent of approximately
313 million tonnes of oil, which we can never get back.
In the past hour, 160 children died from lack of access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.
Mother Earth is in deep trouble. And it is our duty to get her out.
You can:
The problems our Earth faces are problems that can affect us all. Melting polar ice caps, rising
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temperatures, the economic crisis – it seems we cannot escape them, no matter how hard we try. The
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media has certainly done its fair share emphasising the problem. Yet, there is a bright side.
Our greatest strength as human beings is the born ability to think. We can try to put a stop to these
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global dilemmas, and already many are.
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One prime example is developing new water solutions in developing countries such as Africa. In one of
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the hottest places on Earth, water is in scarce supply.
Up to 250 million Africans could live in water-stressed areas by 2010, and more than 50 per cent of
Africans suffer from water-related diseases such as cholera and infant diarrhoea. Two terrifying figures.
However, there are solutions.
Engineering has already produced several breakthroughs – in this case, in terms of desalination. By
pressurising seawater to produce vapour jets and filtering them through carbon nanotubes, we can
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provide clean drinking water from seawater – an almost inexhaustible resource. It may sound complex, but
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engineering feats such as these have the ability to save millions of lives, not just in Africa but all over the
planet.
every week, email Eight thousand miles to the east, Japan is also working towards our energy crisis. Japan has long been
editor@sec-ed.co.uk
renowned for its mind-blowing technological advances, which are often years ahead of the rest of the world.
One of its most ambitious plans is to build and develop a working space solar power system by 2030.
By drawing upon the colossal energy of the Sun itself, it could meet the entire world’s electricity
requirements indefinitely without nuclear or Greenhouse Gas emissions. It sounds like a space-age dream,
doesn’t it? Perhaps less so for British Gas.
But if successful, the impact on the world would be monumental. It would mean energy for schools,
hospitals, and homes. It would mean less carbon emissions. It would mean another industrial revolution. It
would mean a cultural revolution.
Every day people everywhere are starting to do their own bit for the environment and the planet. It
could range from recycling the newspaper at home, to developing hydrogen-powered fuel cell cars in a lab.
We are finally beginning to enter a new era, an era in which engineering and technology are key to
making the world a better place. Take this time to think, for just a moment. Now stop, and think towards
the future.
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10 SecEd • January 14 2010
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