The University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering has continued its commitment to inspiring future engineers and architects across the globe by organising the second edition of the School’s Structure Building competition in Ghana.
The competition aimed to provide high school students with hands-on engineering experience with the hopes of broadening their understanding of STEM subjects while fostering teamwork, creativity, project management and problem-solving skills.
The event, delivered in collaboration with Graduate Guidance Group (G3), saw seven schools from across Ghana compete to build the strongest vertical structure using only wood sticks and glue. The participants included: Association International School, Aburi Girls’ Senior High, Ghana International School, SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College. Dayspring International Academy, International Community School and Presbyterian Boy’s Secondary School. Ahead of the competition, the participants attended a webinar to learn the theory of vertical structures, delivered by Dr John Owen, Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the university.
On the day of the competition, participants were provided with a plywood panel, 45 wood strips and glue. The teams were given three and a half hours to build the best free standing and aesthetically pleasing vertical structure, with a maximum height of 1.5m.
The vertical structures were judged on four criteria: creativity and innovation, stability, aesthetic appeal, and project management. The team of judges included the organisers, Dr Ahmed Tamkin Butt (University of Nottingham) and Ms.Emma Tarrant Tayou (Graduate Guidance Group) as well as Nottingham and SOS alumna Ms. Keziah Quarshie.
Seeing the enthusiasm, ingenuity and creativity of young Ghanaian students was extremely rewarding. Competitions such as this not only introduce students to the principles of STEM but also nurture essential interpersonal skills.”
He continued: “The competition isn’t just about putting wooden sticks together; it’s about shaping the next generation of STEM leaders who will drive innovation and change within their communities and beyond.”
Ms. Emma Tarrant Tayou, Director of Graduate Guidance Group who supported the event, said: “Our motto at the Graduate Guidance Group is all about connecting people and opportunities. We were excited to invest in the organization of the engineering competition as it gave students the opportunity to try something different that would make them think about their future career and study aspirations.
“We were so pleased they could connect with academics from the University of Nottingham and also with the incredible student volunteers who are all studying engineering at Ashesi University.”
First place in the competition was awarded to the SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College, who also hosted the event while Presbyterian Boy’s Secondary School and Dayspring International Academy bagged the second and third places, respectively.
Vice Principal of the SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College, Mrs. Adzo Ashie said: “Having competed in the first edition last year, we were honoured to collaborate with the University of Nottingham this year to be the hosts of the competition, and a great surprise that a home ground advantage and the hard work and effort into preparation for the competition paid off for our team who emerged winners!
“We were equally proud to see our former student, Keziah, return as a judge following her studies at Nottingham.”
