The Cleveland Scientific Institution

CSI Sponsors RSC Top of the Bench Events for the first time

During December 2011 the Teesside Local Section of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) held three heats of the Top of the Bench competition at St Michael’s, Nunthorpe and Parkside Schools. This involved approximately 34 Y9, 17 Y10, and 17 Y11 students in teams of four, from 17 schools taking part in a Chemistry quiz consisting of several rounds, to find out which school in our section had the best Chemistry students.

From the three heats, eight teams with the highest scores took part in the finals on the 25 Jan at Teesside University. In addition to the theoretical rounds a practical exercise was included to further develop the students’ team working, problem solving and practical skills in the subject. The winning team was from Barnard Castle, with Red House and Wolsingham Schools hot on their heels.

The Barnard Castle team will now go forward to compete in the National RSC Top of the Bench Final on 31 March atImperial College in London.

Without CSI sponsorship the heats and the practical element of the competition could not have been held, so their generous donation is greatly appreciated.

Photos below show some of the students in question and answer sessions, or performing practical tasks. Finally there is a photo of Dr Joe McGinnis presenting the local winners with a commemorative shield which they will hold at their school until next year. The winning team of students will also receive a small replica shield to keep. The shields mentioned have been provided by the Teesside Local Section currently chaired by Dr Jeff Franks. Dr Joe McGinnis will be the new Chairman from April 2012

More photos may be downloaded here Top Bench (316.54 kB)

CSI Awards 2011

The awards for 2011 were presented at the CIE Annual Dinner, held at the Tall Trees Hotel, Yarm, on Friday 2 December by the President, Prof. Simon Hodgson.

Arran Crawford BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering (centre) is awarded the James Winship Jackson Award (President's Award) for 2011

This award, in the gift of the Cleveland Scientific Institution, was founded in the name of James Winship Jackson, a local engineer, past president (twice), and long-standing member, serving the Institution for over 50 years.

This award is presented to an outstanding undergraduate student registered in the second year of any approved degree course in the School of Science and Engineering at the Teesside University, having made extraordinary progress in taught study or research.

Craig Hutchinson MSc Control and Electronics (on the right) is awarded the Alfred Clayton-Hill Award for 2011

This award, in the gift of the Cleveland Scientific Institution, was founded by Mr Walter Sacker Hill in memory of his father, Mr Alfred Clayton-Hill. The legacy for this purpose passed to the Institution in May 1965.

A scholarship was created to fulfil the testator's desire to promote and encourage technical and scientific education and the advancement of young men who are training to become blastfurnace technicians.

This award was more recently varied to be presented to an outstanding post-graduate student, registered in the School of Science and Engineering at Teesside University, having made extraordinary progress in taught study or research.

(Photo courtesy of Tata Steel).

Greenpower 2011

For the first time, the CSI sponsored the Greenpower North-East Regional Heat at Croft on 6 July. Two teams from the Cleveland area asked for, and were awarded, sponsorship. Red House School entered the IET Formula Globlin class, and Manor College of Technology entered the IET Formula 24 class, achieving 6th place in an endurance race, covering 70.1 miles. Please visit the Greenpower website for more information.

President 2011-12

simon hodgson-web The CSI welcomes Professor Simon Hodgson, Dean of the School of Science & Engineering, Teesside University. The photo shows Simon accepting the 'President's Jewel' from Keith Bell at the AGM, held on 31 October 2011.

CSI Supports 2011 Rotary Technology Tournament

The CSI sponsored the Rotary Club Technology Tournament, held at the Spa, Whitby, on Tuesday 22 March, 2011.

Over 100 young people took part. Most of the schools entered teams for the third successive year, which demonstrates not only the interest the tournaments generate, but also their educational importance. rotarytechtornament

The tournament requires the participants, working co-operatively in teams of four, to complete a project given to them on the morning of the event. The basic project was to design, build and test a crane which would travel to pick-up a cylindrical load by use of a dc electric motor and transport it to a new location. Skill and ingenuity were needed at each stage. Increased difficulties were built into the project at the more senior levels.

Caedmon School (Whitby) won the basic level tournament, Bydales (Marske) won the intermediate level, and Fyling Hall (Robin Hood's Bay) won the advanced level. Glass trophies were presented to the winning teams by Ken Crudgington, the schools liaison officer of the Cleveland Institution of Engineers. Every participant received a ertificate of achievement for their portfolio.

The Cleveland Scientific Institution

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