Second Year Running, Keswick pupil wins £1,000 REACT Engineering Bursary

KESWICK School is to receive a trophy following the success of a former pupil.
James Walker, 19, was awarded £1,000 after winning the annual REACT Foundation engineering competition following his ideas on combating global warming.
Now the Foundation, a West Cumbrian charity, is to also honour James' former school with an award.
Peter Woolaghan, chairman of the REACT Foundation, said: "We were very impressed with the standard of James' work.

"We hope that by offering this annual prize we can encourage more young people to pursue engineering as a career.
"Subsequently we also award the former school of our winner a trophy in recognition of their educational support.''

James, of Acorn Street, is now studying civil and structural engineering at Manchester University. After winning his award he said:

"I like the variety which engineering offers, and I enjoy problem-solving.
"In the future I would like to use engineering, especially in areas such as tidal defences, to help benefit society.''

 

Keswick School is also to receive £100 for their engineering club donated by the West Cumbrian branch of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
David Williamson, Chairman of IMechE West Cumbria Area, said:
"I am delighted to add my own congratulations to James and Keswick School’s in securing this year’s REACT Foundation Bursary Award for the second year running.
"In recognition of James’ success and the hard work that he and the school have shown, I am pleased to present the school’s Engineering Club with a £100 donation, to complement the LEGO Mindstorm NXT kit we donated last year,'' he said.
"The work that the REACT Foundation does in forming links with local schools to encourage the pupils to study engineering subjects, is essential to retain vital engineering skills in West Cumbria.
"This is a challenge that is very close to our hearts in the IMechE, and we will continue to offer our support to the REACT Foundation wherever we can."
Tim Mather, head of design and technology at Keswick School, said: "It is great to see James doing so well. He was a very keen pupil.
"We are very pleased with the trophy and money which we will use to buy radio-control equipment for the engineering club.''
Mr Mather, who runs the club along with two volunteer parents, said he aimed to encourage the pupils to enter local and national engineering contests and schemes such as the REACT Foundation's bursary.


For further information please contact Irene McMillan on 01946 590511 or email imcmillan@react-engineering.co.uk