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MLM and Cliff Lane Primary School: Thinking Green
Engineering consultancy MLM Group has begun a pilot scheme to involve primary age pupils in learning about ‘green' issues.
The company set a challenge for pupils of Suffolk's ‘Greenest School' - Cliff Lane Primary in Ipswich. The whole school was invited to make a model of the ‘School of the Future', using only recycled materials.
Both Cliff Lane Primary and MLM Group are committed to the initiative ‘Suffolk - Creating the Greenest County'.
The winners of the competition were Chiara Sarro-Haire and Kimberley Bigg. Every member of the class was rewarded with a trip to the Suffolk Show, where the winning design was on display at MLM Group's stand in the Green Village.
The school's Eco-coordinator, Mr Kell said ‘It's fantastic to see excitement and enthusiasm for environmental issues rewarded'.
The school's Head Teacher, Mr Owain Richards said ‘MLM Group's direct involvement gave us all another great opportunity to think about ways to be greener. Perhaps the winning model for ‘School of the Future' gave MLM Group a few ideas too!'
MLM Engineering Challenge Cup Prize
This week six budding engineers, all pupils from Mildenhall College of Technology, swapped text books for hard hats and safety boots, when they visited building sites in Ipswich.
The four boys and two girls won the trip, which was first prize in the Engineering Challenge 2007, for using their practical engineering skills to solve a real life problem. Sponsors, the MLM Group and Jackson Civil Engineering, set a number of real life challenges which included designing and planning the resurfacing of a section of the A12 dual carriageway.
Their prize was a visit to the MSC building site on Ransome's Europark and to two Ipswich waterfront projects - Griffin Wharf and Albion Wharf. They then enjoyed lunch with staff from MLM and Jacksons at the Salthouse Harbour Hotel on the Ipswich waterfront.
The sixth-form team from Mildenhall was one of 10 groups of pupils who took up the challenge in October at an event held at Otley College, just outside of Ipswich.
Felicity Halston, Marketing Coordinator for the MLM Group, said:
"The event is all about getting young people interested and involved in engineering as a career. One of the winners from 2006, Carl Bowen Price, is now an MLM employee studying for a BSc in Civil Engineering, so we know it definitely works!"
The Engineering Challenge is held annually in conjunction with CITB-Construction Skills and the Suffolk Education Business Partnership, as part of National Construction week. It includes a mix of practical design and planning with presentation skills. The students from Mildenhall College of Technology have also received a shield in recognition of their win.
MLM: Making Waves
MLM are involved with Trident Energy Ltd in the design of a unique prototype structure to generate electricity from waves. This is the first sea trials of a patented system that uses linear generators to convert the wave motion into useable power.
The objective of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility of the technology in the marine environment, and to gain further funding to develop commercially viable products.
Key Features
Low number of moving parts, means far less need for maintenance than with other wave generation systems.
Does not use any polluting materials (e.g. hydraulic oil)
Low capital cost in relation to other systems.
The prototype will be sited off the Suffolk coast, and will be commissioned in spring 2008.
Power output of prototype: 30Kw