Pupil designer, Sophia will see her engineering idea the ‘Focus Band’ turn into a reality by Thales Glasgow. Her idea is a headband which makes it a little easier to focus on school work with features such as noise cancelling, a smart camera, a desk projection plus a customisable look.

Introduction to the prototeam

The Thales Glasgow second prototeam (Team DELTER) consists of six members, each bringing different skill sets to the table:

• Des Jemwa
• Emma Russell
• Luke Brand
• Tomi Akintunde
• Ellen Taylor
• Ronaldo Mupudzi

Why did they choose this design?

It was chosen as the engineering professional who originally graded the competition entry identified the product as being extremely beneficial to those who have the likes of ADHD or autism who struggle to concentrate in class, this was highlighted as a personal struggle amongst family members/friends. In addition, the focus band will help eliminate noise within the classroom that might distract them and maximise their engagement and learning at times.

Prototype planning

Features:

• Headwear:
• Elasticated, colourful band
• Noise cancelling, adjustable earbuds
• Circuitry integrated into band, including:
• Accelerometer for motion tracking
• Bluetooth for software connectivity
• Optional microphone for lesson recording and text to speech

Functions:

• DB Meter
• Optional speech to text (teacher preference)
• AI Generated work
• Mirroring Screen
• Data Storage
• Feedback
• Engagement levels

Software:

The software on the Headband

• C++ using the Arduino IDE.
• The goal will be to collect and handle the data in a sensible fashion
• Then send this data to the application to be interpreted

The application software

• Using JavaScript in react native to create a cross platform code base (IOS and android)
• The app will receive data from headband. Interpret it into user friendly, insightful and fun format.
• The app will also work as a study companion app to further push the idea of focus, this will where the ‘AI’ capabilities will be utilized.

Timeline

The team plan to visit the pupil designer’s school in February to update her on their plans and get any feedback. Then visiting again in March with the initial prototype before a design review.

Next steps

The team are excited to be working on a project that aids teaching and learning whilst having the fantastic opportunity to upskill team members taking on a new challenge. We can’t wait to see the next update.

The post Thales Glasgow creating the Focus Band prototype first appeared on Primary Engineer.

With £5,000 in eco-prizes up for grabs, it’s a fantastic opportunity to embed data skills into your curriculum

Learn more here.

Huge thank you to our STATWARS National Partners Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, Aggreko, Anglia Ruskin University, Northern Powergrid and Siemens Group for helping us bring data into the classroom!

The post Celebrating Love Data Week 2025 first appeared on Primary Engineer.

Our two apprentices, Jack and Demi, both have a fabulous future with us, acquiring skills and knowledge whilst working with our world-class partners!

Get an insight into their experiences!

When did you join the Primary Engineer team and what does your role involve?  

Jack: I joined the Primary Engineer team on 18th October 2022 as a Finance Assistant. My role involves supporting the accounting needs of the company, managing incoming and outgoing invoices, assisting with reporting and administrative duties. 

Demi: I joined Primary Engineer at the start of January of this year so everything is still very new to me! I am a marketing apprentice which means I assist in all things marketing such as events, social media and graphic design! 

What pathway led you to this apprenticeship?  

Jack: I chose to become an apprentice as I much prefer the best of both worlds approach, learning at college whilst gaining experience in a working environment. The combination is widening my skill set, helping me develop skills a lot quicker and is an overall more enjoyable approach to learning. The apprenticeship I’m currently on, Level 3 in AAT (Association Of Accounting Technicians), will set me on the right pathway to becoming a fully-qualified accountant and achieving my goals. Looking further down the line though, once I’m comfortable with my skills and knowledge, I’d like to own my own accountancy firm.

Demi: I took an unconventional path to this apprenticeship, like many graduates, I found myself unsure of what career I wanted to pursue after university. It wasn’t until I discovered my interest in marketing that I even considered it as a career. Despite having no formal experience in the field, I was drawn to the idea of marketing and the dynamic nature of the industry. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to not only work at Primary Engineer but also learn about professional marketing through formal education. The apprenticeship appealed to me because it offered a hands-on approach to learning. I had never studied marketing before, and I loved the idea of combining classroom education with real-world experience. This dual approach would give me the chance to gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, ensuring my understanding of marketing is well-rounded. Currently, I’m studying on a Multi-Channel Marketing apprenticeship with an emphasis on customer-based marketing activities. This course is designed to equip me with the essential tools and knowledge I need to support the marketing team at Primary Engineer, while broadening my skill set for future opportunities in the field.

What skills have you learnt in your apprenticeship that you wouldn’t have learnt otherwise?

Jack: Throughout my apprenticeship, I have learnt a lot about the accountancy field and my communication skills have improved majorly.

Demi: Through my apprenticeship, I’ve learned a variety of skills that I definitely wouldn’t have gained otherwise. One of the most valuable has been learning how to apply marketing theory directly to real-world projects. The hands-on experience I’m getting while working with the team at Primary Engineer is allowing me to develop a practical understanding of multi-channel marketing, customer-based activities, and campaign management—skills I wouldn’t have developed purely through traditional education.

What do you like about your job?

Jack: I enjoy working here for a few reasons! Everyone is really easy to get along with, it’s such a calm workplace environment and I feel the organisation is run well which makes such a big impact on how enjoyable coming to work is for all the employees. In terms of my day-to-day work, I like ensuring everything is in order so it tends to be very satisfying having systems and processes in place to follow. Most importantly though, I feel well supported here by everyone but in particularly by those I work closely with Jamie (Operations Director). 

Demi: Although I’m still relatively new to my role, I already absolutely love working in the marketing team at Primary Engineer! Everyone has been incredibly welcoming, and the support from the team has made it so easy for me to settle in. What I enjoy most is that every day brings something different. There’s always a new project or task to tackle, which keeps things exciting. I especially love when the whole team collaborates on a campaign—it’s a great feeling to come together, share ideas, and work collectively towards a common goal.

What would you say to anyone considering an apprenticeship?

Jack: I would say to anybody considering an apprenticeship is, do it! In my opinion, it is the best way to learn as well as gaining all the experience at the same time. Going down the apprenticeship route has helped me develop my personal skills and career so much so far.

Demi: I would definitely say go for it! An apprenticeship is a fantastic option at any stage of life. Personally, having gone from college to university and back to college again, I can honestly say I appreciate my education so much more now that it directly complements my job. An apprenticeship is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to step into your future career—no matter what field you’re interested in. It’s a chance to learn while doing, and you gain valuable skills that can set you up for long-term success. If you’re unsure about your next step, it’s definitely worth considering!

The post National Apprenticeship Week 2025 – employee spotlight first appeared on Primary Engineer.

Pupil designer, Sophie, will see her engineering idea ‘The Reach-Up Wheelchair’ turned into a reality by Thales Templecombe. Her idea makes life a little easier for wheelchair users, helping them reach the things they might not normally be able to. The chair features a button to extend the chair upwards up to 1 metre, raise the seat at an angle plus a safety strap.

Introduction to the ProtoTeam

The Thales Templecombe prototeam consists of six members, each bringing different skill sets to the table:

• Freya Morris – Project Manager
• Daniel Fearn – Systems Engineer
• Zacary Leighton-Ditchburn – Mechanical Engineer
• Harris Cutts – Manufacturing Apprentice
• Prasanna Lamgade – Mechanical Engineer
• Ben Mammatt – Hardware Apprentice

Project Overview

From initial estimates of a motor operated scissor lift, the students intended design would be too costly and hazardous as a product. As such an alternative design has been chosen.

An air jack or air bag, will be our method for lifting the user. Air fills the bags via a compressor powered by a battery and expands – raising the user. Stability will be provided by a metal rod within the air jack and utilising the sides of the scissor lift to lock the user at the intended height for safety.

A linear actuator will be used as the tilt method for the design. This is a simple and cheap method of tilting the user for ease of access.

Ease of use luxuries will be added such as a panel to allow the user to adjust their height, angle and provide additional information.

Changes may occur to the design as it develops. Certain issues such as height limitations not meeting initial requirements, H&S issues or excessive noise from the compressor may cause a reflection in design choices which will be discussed with the student before any significant changes.

Starting the prototype

The team launched the project in January and now they are in the design stage, plan to meet the pupil designer a few times in the coming weeks to present initial ideas and make any necessary adjustments.

Next steps

We are looking forward to the next update!

The post Thales Templecombe creating the Reach-Up Wheelchair prototype first appeared on Primary Engineer.

When Elliott, a Year 12 student at St Katherines Secondary School and Sixth Form, submitted his engineering idea to the Leaders Award Competition he had no idea the doors it would open – or the extraordinary impact it would have. 

THE COMPETITION 

The Leaders Award Competition is a national competition open to all pupils aged 3–19 and asks the question ‘If you were an engineer, what would you do?’. Pupils are tasked with interviewing an engineer, helping them to find the inspiration to come up with their own engineering idea.  

Once they have interviewed an engineer, pupils are asked to identify a problem in the world around them and engineer a creative solution for that problem. They create an annotated drawing of their idea and write a letter to an engineer explaining why their idea should be built. Engineering professionals grade every single entry, before sending shortlisted entries to regional judging panels, with the winners being awarded at regional award ceremonies. 

This competition is provided free to schools thanks to the support of Primary Engineer partners who not only support with funding, but also with enthusiastic engagement to help inspire the next generation of engineers. Two partners, GKN Aerospace and the University of the West of England (UWE), massively support the competition in South West England. 

So what was Elliott’s idea? 

THE IDEA 

The ‘SMARTH’ is a bathroom design that has the ability to mix hygiene products with water, making bathing or showering much easier. Elliott’s design included many detailed features, such as temperature sensors, a detachable waterproof tablet that controls the temperature of the water and music and tanks on the outside of the unit which – when activated with the detachable tablet – mix the contents (shampoo and bubble bath) into the water system.   

This concept and details massively impressed the judges, and Elliott was awarded a winner’s medal by representatives of GKN Aerospace and UWE at the South West England Award Ceremony on 30^th June 2023. 

At the award ceremony Chris Rochester, UK Director and Head of Partnerships at Primary Engineer, introduced Elliott to Lisa Brodie, the Dean at University of West England, and Ian Gent, composite research engineer at GKN Aerospace. After this initial discussion Elliott was provided with the fantastic opportunity to visit both the university and GKN Aerospace‘s Global Technology Centre (GTC). At the awards and during the visit to the GTC, Elliott and his family were introduced to the option of apprenticeships and in particular GKN’s apprenticeship scheme. This was a route into the engineering sector that neither were aware of. One year on Elliott successfully applied for an apprenticeship with GKN Aerospace. 

John Watton, Technical Capability Director at GKN Aerospace, commented to say “GKN Aerospace have been partnering with Primary Engineer since 2021during which time we have had the privilege of engaging in many amazing and fun Primary Engineer led STEM activities. Elliot’s story is a fantastic example of how a successful and collaborative partnership can lead to a really positive outcome, inspiring the next generation of engineers is crucial for the continued success of our industry – GKN Aerospace is delighted to have Elliot as one of our team!” 

But the story didn’t end there. 

PROTOTYPE 

After each year of the Leaders Award Competition, University and Industry Partners of Primary Engineer select an idea to turn into reality – and after the impression Elliott and his idea left on the University, UWE decided to choose the SMARTH as their prototype.

Working off Elliott’s original design, their team managed to turn his concept into a working prototype – unveiling the design alongside Elliott at the 2024 South West England Award Ceremony on June 5th.

Primary Engineer and UWE have been working together since 2021, hosting the judging day, the regional award ceremony and public exhibition and being a prototype partner.  

Ramin Amali, Dean and Head of School of Engineering at UWE Bristol commented “The University of the West of England, Bristol partners with Primary Engineer on their Leaders Award competition to inspire young people to think like engineers by creating inventions to solve real-world problems. UWE’s involvement as a partner highlights our commitment to encouraging the next generation of engineers, allowing students to explore engineering concepts and interact with professionals in the field.” 

So what did Elliott think of all this? 

ELLIOTT 

Elliott said: “I was so grateful to my DT teacher Mr Fey at St Katherine’s for encouraging me to enter the competition. It was great fun but also very challenging to come up with an idea that would be useful to people as well as practical. The best part of it for me was that I got introduced to GKN Aerospace as part of it. I didn’t know much about them before the competition, but they talked to me a lot about their apprenticeship programme and I was lucky enough to get a place on it. I started in September 2024 and am really enjoying it. It’s a great way into the practical side of engineering and I’m earning money while getting started on my career.” 

This story highlights the way this competition paves the way for young people to have a career in engineering and being able to connect with industry and university professionals helps create a meaningful impact and shape their future. 

There are so many different routes into engineering and like many of our partners, both GKN Aerospace and UWE have a variety of options available. 

• Check out what course and degree apprenticeships the university offers. 

• Check out the careers available and the apprenticeships at GKN Aerospace. 

Huge thank you to both GKN Aerospace and UWE for partnering with us and inspiring pupils in our South West England region. 

GET INVOLVED!

We work with our partners across the UK to bring a real-world context of engineering and technology into the classroom to generate the future talent pool. You could be our next Leaders Award partner and even have the opportunity to turn a pupil’s idea into a reality with a prototype. Contact us to find out more. 

The post Elliott Jones: A story about a real engineer in the making   first appeared on Primary Engineer.

Pupil designer, Alex, will see his engineering idea ‘The Hummingbird 3000’ turned into a reality by Thales Crawley. His idea is a miniature green energy factory which could be easily fitted to the wall or roof of a house, producing enough electricity to power a household.

Introduction to the ProtoTeam

The Thales Crawley prototeam consists of six members, each bringing different skill sets to the table:

• Henry Fuller – Project Manager
• Andrew Lucas – EDM
• Benji Beedles – Engineer
• Isabella Anderson – Engineer
• Matthew Hodges – Engineer
• Alex Carlyn – Engineer

Starting the prototype

First phase will be run using agile methods, to allow for flexibility during the design process. Planned to be run across four sprints. Second Phase will switch to normal waterfall method as activities move towards manufacture. More detailed plans will be developed after receiving training in SCRUM method.

Plan to have regular customer meetings, with updates either every month or every fortnight.

Three in-person visits planned:

• First at the school, focused on allowing the customer to meet the team and review final design of solution.
• Second at Thales site, potentially using COREF labs to provide virtual representation of final solution.
• Third back at school, presenting final solution for user acceptance.

Next steps

We are looking forward to the next update!

The post Thales Crawley creating the Hummingbird 3000 prototype first appeared on Primary Engineer.

Pupil designer, Malachy, will see his engineering idea ‘I can Swing’ turned into a reality by Thales Belfast. His idea is a swing specifically designed for individuals with reduced mobility or wheelchair users, was selected because the pupil identified a significant gap in the market.

Introduction to the ProtoTeam

The Thales Belfast prototeam consists of six members from the Thales Early Careers program, each bringing different skill sets to the table:

• Will Primrose (Bids and Projects Graduate)
• Jay Gibson (Engineering Apprentice)
• Zahra Syed (Software Graduate)
• Rory Squire (Engineering Apprentice)
• Joe Castle (Software Graduate)
• Scott McGilton (Engineering Apprentice)

With expertise in areas such as software design, 3D printing, CAD modelling, and project planning, the team collaborated to review the submission, considering several factors including:

• Design complexity
• Parts required
• Budget
• Competitors
• Manufacturing Timeframe

Why did they choose this idea to build?

The “I Can Swing,” a swing specifically designed for individuals with reduced mobility or wheelchair users, was selected because the pupil identified a significant gap in the market. Currently, there is no swing specifically designed for this purpose. During their market research, the team found only swings that were either manually operated or those that simply rocked back and forth, highlighting the innovation and necessity of the “I Can Swing.”

Starting the prototype – planning

The primary challenge for the team was to transform the design into a tangible product within the given timeframe. After careful deliberation, it was decided to proceed with creating a tabletop model of the “I Can Swing” design. A full-scale model was deemed too large and impractical to produce within the timeframe, and it would also present logistical challenges for transportation and display.
Currently, the team is in the design phase, meticulously considering all the key requirements and working on converting these into a fully functional tabletop prototype.

Next steps

The group looks forward to meeting the pupil soon to discuss their design and to learn more about the backstory behind this amazing and thoughtful concept!

We are looking forward to the next update!

The post Thales Belfast creating the I can Swing prototype first appeared on Primary Engineer.

Start planning for British Science Week! Primary Engineer’s fully-funded whole-school STEM competition is perfect for the 10-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths.

British Science Week 2025

British Science Week is an annual event that celebrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across the United Kingdom. Organised by the British Science Association, the week-long initiative aims to engage people of all ages in various science-related activities, events, and discussions. It provides a platform for scientists, educators, and the public to come together, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the importance of science in our daily lives. British Science Week encompasses a wide range of activities, from school-based projects to community events, promoting curiosity, exploration, and involvement in the world of science.

We are here to help teachers across the UK celebrate this important initiative.

Who is Primary Engineer?

Primary Engineer serves as a valuable resource for teachers, providing practical support and a range of programs to enrich classroom learning. With a focus on inspiring future engineers and innovators, the organisation offers educators access to hands-on projects and challenges. Dedicated to fostering creativity and critical thinking, Primary Engineer plays a significant role in shaping the educational landscape and preparing students for the opportunities in design and technology.

STEM Competition

Fully-funded, free and open to all schools in the UK, this UK-wide competition which asks pupils aged 3 – 19 ‘If you were an engineer, what would you do?’ is a great way to introduce your pupils to the fascinating world of science, technology, engineering and maths.

What does it involve?

Pupils are tasked with interviewing an engineer, where they get a better understanding of what engineering is, the career pathways involved as well as the opportunity to ask the questions that matter to them. The interview gives pupils the inspiration to come up with their own engineering ideas to a problem they identify whether that’s a problem relatable to themselves, their community or the world around them. The cross-curricular competition asks pupils to draw and annotate a solution to the problem whilst also writing a persuasive letter to tell the inspiring engineer about their solution and why it should be brought to life.

Scheduled Live Interviews

Friday 7th March – Seren White 

One of the top 50 Women in Engineering 2024! Engineering comes in all shapes and sizes; you’ve just got to find the right fit.

As an experienced personal protection engineer, Seren is passionate about improving equipment for women.

Monday 10th March – Roger Smith 

As a British watchmaker renowned for his meticulous craftsmanship and innovative approach to traditional horology, Roger specializes in bespoke, hand-made timepieces.

His small, independent workshop on the Isle of Man produces some of the finest and most technically advanced watches in the world, often blending traditional techniques with modern innovation.

Tuesday 11th March – Joseph

Join Joseph to dive deep into the exciting world of submarines and how an apprentice contributes to the next generation of nuclear submarines!

Wednesday 12th March – Daniel Innes 

As a Launch Systems Engineer Daniel knows everything there is to know about rockets!

Thursday 13th March – Josh Hemmings

Join Josh as he explores the development a supercar through his role as a vehicle development engineer.

Friday 14th March – Marsha 

Marsha, a Design and Certification Engineer at Boeing, exploring how her love for Art and Maths led to an engineering career in aviation!

For any schools or home learners interested in our live interviews, please visit our website!

What are the benefits?

The competition boosts pupils’ confidence in the classroom as every single pupil who takes part is recognised with a personalised graded certificate, with all entries that are submitted being read and graded by professional engineers. Entries are graded based on the quality of the idea, not the art skills or spelling of the letter so is suitable for all pupils regardless of academic ability and educational needs. In addition to fostering confidence in the classroom, the competition provides a unique opportunity for students to receive personalised recognition. Every participant, regardless of academic ability or educational needs, is acknowledged for their efforts.

Pupils build lasting memories at our regional exhibitions and awards ceremonies where their amazing, joyous and innovative ideas are showcased and celebrated.

Thanks to the support from Primary Engineer’s National and Regional Partners, the competition is fully-funded and free to all schools.

When you register on our Leaders Award website, you unlock access to cross-curricular lesson plans, pupil log-books, guides and curriculum mappings to help you teach STEM easily with a flexible approach in the classroom.

How do we get involved?

Simply register for free on the website here!

The post Mark your calendar for British Science Week! first appeared on Primary Engineer.

This year the funding from Eversholt Rail will be used to offer professional development and teaching resources for two teachers at ten schools across Ashford in Kent. Engineers from Eversholt Rail will also be supporting the teachers with delivering the Primary Engineer Rail Programme throughout the 2024/2025 academic year.

The training day took place last week to bring both engineers and teachers together to learn all the skills required to teach this hands-on practical engineering programme in the classroom. The full-day training is highly practical & informative and aimed at not only providing training but also increasing confidence in delivering STEM-based whole class projects.

The cohort of schools who took part last year in the Huddersfield area will be receiving a ‘continuation kit’ complete with all the physical materials which will allow them to run the programme in their class with a new class of pupils, further embedding engineering into the curriculum of these schools and deepening the impact with the pupils.

The Primary Engineer Programmes provide meaningful links between engineering and education, enabling teachers to deliver an engaging engineering project to pupils in the classroom. Engineering and technology professionals enhance both teachers and pupils’ learning by raising awareness of the breadth of opportunities and careers that the world of engineering offers.

Chris Rochester, UK Director of Primary Engineer, said, “This wonderful partnership with Eversholt Rail will enable pupils in the Ashford in Kent area to identify with rail engineering and develop skills through the Primary Engineer Rail project. The partnership will provide them with opportunities to meet and work with rail engineering professionals in the classroom creating meaningful links between local rail engineers, teachers and pupils.”

Paul Sutherland, Client Services Director, Eversholt Rail, said, “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Primary Engineer in the Ashford area.  Our engineers who joined the programme last year found the experience rewarding and are excited to once again provide support to new schools.  This is a fantastic way to bring engineering into classrooms and really inspire the next generation of engineers.”

About Primary Engineer

 Primary Engineer is an educational not-for-profit organisation founded in 2005 which aims to engage both primary and secondary school pupils and teachers with the vast and inspirational world of engineering and technology. They work with businesses and industry across the UK to help develop a future, diverse generation of engineering and technology professionals.

About Eversholt Rail

Eversholt Rail owns UK passenger and freight rolling stock and has more than 30 years’ experience in the rail industry. Eversholt Rail has invested more than £3bn in new trains since privatisation and continually invests in its existing fleets to maintain quality and reliability to deliver a better passenger and operator experience.

Eversholt Rail has a proud history of innovation and plays an integral role in the growth and modernisation of the UK rail sector by introducing new products and technologies into the market.

Further information can be obtained on www.eversholtrail.co.uk

The post Eversholt Rail continues in partnership with Primary Engineer to inspire the next generation of engineers first appeared on Primary Engineer.

Pupil designer, Adam, will see his engineering idea ‘Trampcharger’ turned into a reality by Thales Glasgow. His idea is a device-charging trampoline that generates electricity when bounced upon and he wants to make this fun and exciting product available to all, for free, in the local park.

Introduction to the ProtoTeam

The team that shall endeavour to produce this creation is made up of six members of our Early Careers Community – three graduates and three apprentices. The graduates are Tom Warburton (Systems Engineer), Sakaria Sallah (Systems Engineer) and Jamie Read (Bid & Project Manager), while our apprentices are Neave Kelly (Manufacturing), Darcy Weatherby (Technical Publications & Training) and Connor Scott (Obsolescence). They are very excited to take on this challenge, and feel they have a good variety of skills and knowledge to make this a success.

Why did they choose this idea to build?

There were a variety reasons that ‘Trampcharger’ was selected, many of which directly targeted modern day societal needs or vitally important topics. The concept presents a unique fusion of play and functionality – by harnessing the kinetic energy generated from the physical activity, this innovation promotes an active lifestyle, which is vitally important considering that 15% of children aged 2-15 are obese (Health Survey for England 2022) and 64% adults are either overweight or obese.

Another major reason for selection was the obvious focus on the environment and renewable energy. Adam himself repeatedly mentions the positive environmental factors of the design, pointing out the charger “uses green energy, the best energy for the environment”. This creation fosters awareness by encouraging people to engage with sustainable practices and think about renewable energy, all while making energy generation fun. The environment and global warming are major topics that are the focus of governments and organisations around the world, so it is great to see such an interest on this from Adam.

The convenience of the idea was another attractive aspect to Adam’s proposal, allowing users to charge their devices during outdoor recreational activities, seamlessly integrating leisure and technology. Furthermore, the design has significant potential for evolution, not just for this particular apparatus, but for an entire playground. The potential for adding mini-wind turbines to the top of the swings or turning the roundabout into a turbine is there, just needs refining. Essentially any moving part of a playground could evolve to produce energy.

Starting the prototype – planning

The team currently have two potential solutions with which we are moving forward into our testing phase with. One option is to create a ring of piezoelectric discs around the frame of the trampoline. When someone bounces on the trampoline and creates vibrations, these discs produce a small amount of electricity. By having a large number of these small discs all around the trampoline, we may be able to generate enough electricity to charge a device.

The second solution involves creating motors using springs and magnets. A magnet is wrapped in a coil and attached to a spring at both ends. As the trampoline is used, the magnet will pass horizontally through the coil as springs expand and contract, creating an EMF. Wires will be connected to the coil, feeding the electricity straight to the battery pack for charging.

Next steps

The next stage of our project is the testing phase. The team will be testing the two different solutions in a number of ways and under a number of conditions. They will then continue experimenting with each option until they decide upon their final design for producing the most amount of electricity. They are also planning to visit Adam and his school, so they can get his feedback on our suggestions and ensure that he is thoroughly involved throughout the process.

We are looking forward to the next update!

The post Thales Glasgow creating the Trampcharger prototype first appeared on Primary Engineer.