Midlothian Primary Schools to the Rescue!

For a second year running, National Mining Museum Scotland hosted “The Rescuers” exhibition for the Midlothian Primary Schools Engineering Design Competition. This involved Primary 7 pupils from six schools in the Newbattle cluster in Midlothian. The pupils competed to design and create a machine or vehicle with the brief to help rescue something or someone. This exhibition was the culmination of a broader project in partnership with Donna Hanley, Primary STEM & Sustainability Development Officer for Midlothian Council and Raising Aspirations in Science Education (RAiSE). Its aim was to encourage pupils’ multi-layered engagement with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and inspire their passion for STEM. In creating their designs, the pupils developed an understanding of engineering design processes and thought about the properties of materials and mechanisms they were using.

The entries showcased the pupils STEM skills, collaboration, and creativity. Entries were judged by representatives from The National Robotarium at Heriot Watt University, the Mining Institute of Scotland Trust (MIST) and the Museum. Our winners were:

• 1st prize (as voted for by the judges): The Logger Association from Mayfield PS
• 2nd prize (as voted for by the judges): Hydrus from Lawfield PS
• 3rd prize (as voted for by the judges): Ma Mum’s Car from Moorfoot PS Pupils from Moorfoot, Gore Glen, Mayfield, and Lawfield Primary Schools visited the Museum to see their

In a newly added category, pupils voted for their favourite vehicle/machine when they visited the exhibition. This was then added to a visual bar chart display. The pupil’s prize winners who have won family tickets to the Museum were:

• 1st prize (as voted for by the pupils): Flop/Pop Car 8 from Gorebridge PS
• 2nd prize (as voted for by the pupils): WoofMeouwSqueakNeigh from Gore Glen PS

On visiting the exhibition, the pupils also took part in an engineering challenge to build the tallest and strongest structure using only spaghetti and marshmallows. The pupils took inspiration from the A-Frame Winding Engine structure at National Mining Museum. Their completed structures held strong over the course of school visits over the week.

We look forward to continuing this competition annually at National Mining Museum, especially after achieving funding from The Royal Society Places of Science Grant, which will extend outreach to more primary schools in Midlothian.

Huge congratulations to all participating pupils in this year’s competition!