Environmental Science Challenge
Why an environmental sciences competition?
The world is consuming an ever-increasing amount of resources and doubled its energy consumption in the last 40 years. Scientific evidence shows that these resources will not last forever and, despite recent debate following the Copenhagen summit, there is no serious dispute that human actions are warming the climate and raising sea levels. The consensus view is that CO2 levels must peak by 2020 to have a chance of reversing these trends. It is now clear that by addressing climate change and increasing our energy production from low carbon and renewable sources, such as nuclear, wind and wave, we can also increase energy security.
This environmental science challenge is aimed at young people who have an interest in sustainable natural resource exploitation, sustainable energy production, environmental protection and climate change, and want to gain skills and experience to progress in these areas of scientific research.
It is aimed at an advanced level of knowledge equivalent to a level 3 qualification – it is therefore particularly appropriate for either for those studying A level or equivalent vocational qualifications or – in the workplace – for apprentices or other young trainees.
It aims to raise skills and awareness in science, engineering and related disciplines. Working in small multi-disciplinary teams, competitors will be tasked with devising the ‘best’ combination of energy supply for a purpose-designed, generic island, for the next 30 years. They will need to analyse information and data to produce a report and present findings. There will also be a practical challenge to produce a source of small-scale energy production.
Progress to date
The initial and groundbreaking competition was held at the headquarters of the British Geological Survey near Nottingham in July 2009. Following three intense days of competition, a team from Newcastle College scooped the gold medals and first prize of a VIP pass to QinetiQ’s Science Week. The winning team presented an energy plan for a mythical island based on progressively phasing in a tidal barrage and biomass generation and encouraging a programme of household energy efficiency measures. In their comprehensive solution, the barrage not only provided a renewable and sustainable source of electricity but also created 30,000 jobs, and agricultural land was given over to forestry. In addition, all teams constructed a solar oven from recycled cardboard. Despite the generally cloudy weather, one team managed to record a temperature of 165oC during a brief sunny spell.
This competition was supported by a unique combination of Sector Skills Councils (Cogent, SEMTA, Lantra and Energy and Utility Skills), Prospect trade union and the TUC’s learning arm unionlearn, STEMNET and experts at the Environment Agency and British Geological Survey. Natural England, TNC Trust Fund and SEMTA sponsored the competition.
The second UK competition final will be held at Pembroke College from 29 June to 2 July, with principal sponsorship from the Welsh Assembly Government. In addition to teams from across the UK, and building on collaboration with Skills Netherlands, a Dutch team will also compete.
Winners of this year’s competition will have a chance to compete at international level in World Skills 2011, which will be held in London.
Download information on the environmental science challenge (PDF, 1.05MB)
Download environmental science competition poster (PDF, 693KB)
Briefing document (200 words) issued 18 Feb 2010
