Woodham Academy has been chosen from 196 schools across the country to take part in the Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge – an exciting national robotics challenge that will see students involved in “space missions”. The Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge introduces student teams to real-world engineering, technology, robotics and computing challenges. The challenge aims to help students put their school learning into context and discover exciting new careers. The students can take inspiration from British astronaut Tim Peake as they start on a journey of discovery that could propel them to regional heats and the national final, giving them the chance to win great prizes. Woodham Academy will receive free LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education EV3 STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) resources worth £2,000. The school’s student team will learn how to build, program and control these autonomous LEGO robots to complete a series of short, exciting space missions, demonstrating the skills they’ve learned at challenge events held around the country. They will also research, design, plan and present their own solution to a contemporary scientific problem – developed by LEGO Education with NASA. The students will develop valuable skills through the challenge as they devise strategies, work in a team, develop research skills and build their self-confidence. Research from EngineeringUK, who run the Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge, shows that communicating engineering careers to young people is vital for the future of the British economy. Chief Executive of EngineeringUK Paul Jackson said: “In order to meet the country’s demand for engineers we need to double the number of graduates and apprentices entering the engineering industry. “Programmes such as the Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge aim to help young people from all backgrounds understand the variety, excitement and opportunity presented by a career in engineering.” Woodham Academy Science Teacher, Mr Jenkins and Computer Science Teacher, Mrs Lind said: “We’re excited to have been selected for the Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge. We think taking part will not only be great fun, but will also really benefit our students, highlighting the link between their school subjects and the rewarding future careers that these subjects could lead to. “We’re looking forward to assembling our team of space engineers and learning how to complete the space challenges together.” For more information on the EEP Robotics Challenge visit www.tomorrowsengineers.org. uk/Robotics.