Eight UK schools have made it to the final of Cisco’s Stemnet (science, technology, engineering and mathematics network) Challenge 10, which challenges students to plan a large-scale event in their local area.
Nearly 200 UK state-maintained secondary school teams took on the Maths and Science 2012 Challenge.
Working with the Pearson Foundation, Cisco challenged schools around the country to design and plan an event, taking into consideration the venue, location, sport facilities and equipment.
The eight finalists will present their ideas to a Dragon's Den-style panel of experts on 6 July at Cisco House, which overlooks the Olympic Park.
The winning team is set to bag 2,500 for their school's Stem club, in addition to eight tickets for the Olympic Hockey. Winners will also receive London 2012 merchandise.
The eight teams in the final All Hallows Catholic High School, Lancashire Angley School, Kent and Medway Kendrick School, Surrey and rest of Berkshire Perins School, Hampshire and Isle of Wight South Axholme School, Humberside The Elton High School, Greater Manchester The Gryphon School, Wiltshire, Swindon and Dorset Woodham Community Technology College, County Durham and Tees Valley
Kirsten Bodley, chief executive of Stemnet said the Stem Challenges allowed students to develop and apply valuable Stem skills to real-life, working situations.
“Stemnet is delighted to partner with the London 2012 team to ignite the enthusiasm of students in the lead-up to the event," she said. "All of our finalists are incredibly innovative and inspired by their entries and it is amazing to see students working so well together and supporting each other as a team.”
Neil Crockett, managing director 2012, Cisco UK and Ireland, said the London 2012 Games presents a wonderful platform to communicate to children about how science, technology, engineering and maths can be practically applied.
“The Out of the Blocks initiative and Stem challenges are key to transforming the way young people view Stem subjects, and we are committed to engaging them in new and innovative ways,” he said.
Mark Nieker, chief executive of The Pearson Foundation, said: “Together, these programmes help students imagine their future and make an enduring legacy from London 2012.”
