Students fire catapults in parliament

National Science Week issues a challenge.

As part of National Science Week, students were issued a challenge to design, build and market a modern trebuchet or catapult for firing projectiles over castle walls. This task saw participants use their homemade catapults to fire projectiles around the Houses of Parliament.
 
Designed to inspire the UK’s engineering talent, over thirty 13 and 14 year-old students from five different schools in London took part in the challenge bringing their finished trebuchet to the Houses of Parliament for Monday’s judging event. Students had the opportunity then to road test their invention themselves firing projectiles at coloured targets in the Member’s Dining Room. 
 
Stephen Williams MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary for Innovation, Universities and Skills, sponsored the ‘Trebuchet Challenge’ event, which was organised by the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) and The Smallpeice Trust.

Trebuchet construction

The trebuchets were made of a combination of wood, tape, screws, nails, string and glue.
 
One of the judges Dr John Morton, Chief Executive of the ETB said: “In addition to demonstrating just how inspiring and engaging engineering can be, the Trebuchet Challenge is designed to encourage and reward the related skills of teamwork, creativity and problem-solving, all of which will prove essential in ensuring that UK engineering remains at the forefront of innovation.”
 
Participating schools include Forest Hill School, Harris Academy in Bermondsey, Little Ilford School, Mulberry School for Girls, and St Martin-in-the-Fields High School in Lambeth. The winning team, from St Martins in the Fields High School in Lambeth, received a trophy and £250 for their school. 

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