Congratulations to this year's UK Young Engineer of the Year 2024 - from Wales!

EESW celebrates success of students from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern

Congratulations to Pacha Pritchard from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern who was awarded the accolade of UK Young Engineer of the Year 2024 at the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham on 19th-21st June 2024.  Pacha received the award for her Portable Pollution Monitor project, and also this year took part in the EESW Project in partnership with Mott MacDonald Bentley.   

She was awarded the prize on stage at the Big Bang Fair and said: "I’m a bit shell shocked, I think I’m going to cry but I’m incredibly happy. My project is to help raise awareness of eco issues to younger people. I’m a massive advocate for promoting STEM to girls and getting all the opportunities out there, like the Big Bang Fair and Competition. STEM is the future and women are part of that future. Without EESW and the opportunities I have had through Lego Leagues, Girls into Stem, Science in the Senedd, F1 in Schools and the 6th Form project I don’t think I would have had the confidence to apply for this amazing prize."

Pacha's other EESW team members also celebrated their success this year.  Chloe Radford also presented her project at the Big Bang Fair:

Chloe said: "Since starting f1 in schools in year 8 it has opened so many opportunities for me such as the EESW sixth form project, winning the girls on track award, judging the regional and national finals and I am now hoping to judge the world finals of F1 in Schools. None of this would have been possible without EESW helping me and my team. As they have helped us develop us into young engineers though giving us numerous opportunities and helping us in any way they can."

The girls were members of Ysgol Bro Edern's two F1 teams, who also did very well this year.  Carys Williams, PM for Team Hypernova recounts her journey:

"When I was asked to compete in the CyberFirst challenge in year eight, I had no idea how engrossed I would become in STEM. After my team placed second in Wales, I was inspired to chase other opportunities such as the Lego League competition, reaching the UK Nationals with our robotics skills. Since then, I have constantly been exploring engineering activities and I am now proudly the Project Manager of Team Hypernova, whom are representing Wales at the 2024 F1 in Schools World Finals."

Following in Hypernova’s footsteps are team Parabolica, who will be in Year 11 in September and Catrin Wood, who has also taken part in the Arkwright, Big Bang, Teen Tech, TDI and Innovation awards programmes said:

“We were given the incredible opportunity by EESW to explore the world of STEM through the F1 in Schools competition. Attending the national finals was an unforgettable experience as it enabled us to network with industry professionals and other inspiring young people. We are extremely grateful and excited to continue working with EESW, with the hopes of reaching another UK final next year.”

These young females have been inspired by their teacher, Dewi Thomas, Lead of the Design Technology department, who said:

"Everyone at Bro Edern is incredibly proud of our inspirational young women in STEM. They are all talented, intelligent, kind, and driven.  Pacha is a dream student, always willing to go the extra mile to improve her skills and work. Her win at Big Bang is a culmination of her dedication over the past 5 years, making her a truly worthy winner.

We are very fortunate to have many wonderful students, including Chloe, Catrin, and Carys. They are all looking forward to next year's world finals, which will be a fantastic way for them to conclude their time with us. They are currently focused on fundraising for the event, improving their car and developing their portfolios."

EESW congratulates these students and wishes them the best of success in their future STEM careers.