Technology Tournament 

TUESDAY 6th MARCH 2017


Twenty-eight teams from ten Wakefield district schools today faced the challenge of building a 'rocket' launcher to blast a plastic golf ball into space - or at least three metres from the ground.

The annual Rotary Technology Tournament at Featherstone Rovers' ground was again a huge success, largely because of the commitment of the contestants who worked enthusiastically in teams of four.

From the materials provided (which included plenty of elastic), participants faced the task of designing and constructing a device to launch the golf ball and bring it back to earth on a parachute. On its way up it had to pass through a metal hoop.

The prize for the advanced class went to a team from QEGS and Wakefield Girls High School. The intermediate award went to another joint team from these two schools while the prize for the foundation class was won by Ackworth School.

Nick Castle, one of the organisers of the event from Wakefield Rotary Club, said: "The youngsters warmed to the task and brought a real vibrancy to the event."

The awards were presented by the president of Normanton Rotary Club, Derek Searby.