Sixth-form students flushed with success

THE appliance of science for Bluecoat School pupils (from left) Luke Kolakowski, Lizzie Sloane, George Lund, Sophy Hitchen and Mary Brock

Water firms tap into team’s research

TWO companies who supply water to millions of people are using new filters thanks to research carried out by Blue Coat School students.

Severn Trent and Thames Water were so impressed by the teenagers’ findings that they have taken on their recommendations for their sewage works.

The pupils were among the teams from 24 school across the North of England who took part in a six-month project organised by Huddersfield University’s School of Computing and Engineering.

The A-level science students had to come up with solutions to a wide range of problems faced by major engineering and technology firms.

These included designing a new footbridge, making building sites more environmentally friendly and improving turbo engines and solar panels.

Blue Coat’s team of Mary Brock, Sophy Hitchen, Luke Kolakowski, George Lund and Lizzie Sloane worked on a project for the firm ATI (Analytical Technology Incorporated).

They investigated the best product on the market for delivering water samples to be monitored for hazardous chemicals — without getting blocked by solid materials.

ATI is now using their recommended filter in a large sewage works operated by Thames Water while Severn Trent will also introduce it.

The event was backed by the charity EDT, which encourages young people to follow science, engineering and technology careers.

The project included residential weekends and culminated in an assessment and celebration day at the university at which they set up stalls displaying and explaining the devices and solutions they had come up with.

All of the teams also made a formal presentation to their mentor companies.