Forget scribbling on a beer-stained bit of paper, next time you take part in a pub quiz you could be using a hi-tech buzzer system.
Ten teams of schoolchildren from across Lincolnshire are competing against each other to design an electronic buzzer to help bring pub quizzes into the electronic age.
The specifications of the challenge state the buzzer must be appropriate to be used by two teams and it must be able to identify which of the teams pressed the buzzer first.
The ages of the children involved range from 12 to 16. As well as the electronics aspect and construction activities, each team must also design marketing materials and develop point of sale information.
Les Porter, design and technology consultant for Lincolnshire School Improvement Service, said vocational subjects such as product design and electronics were of vital importance in today’s school system.
He said: “On a whole, electronics and design are easy to teach.
“The creativity within the kids is tremendous. When I was in school, I wasn’t allowed to go off and create my own thing, but now, the children are in charge of their own learning, which is simply incredible.
“These kinds of experiences enhance what’s going on in schools.”
Nigel Henry, a design and technology teacher at Boston Grammar Schools Federation, said these competitions were extremely beneficial to pupils.
He said: “It’s definitely something we should see more of in schools.
“The children get more one-on-one tuition and can get more involved with the practical side. They learn more, so they get to experience a more advanced level.”
Ten of the county’s educational institutions took part in the competition, including Kesteven and Sleaford School, Lincoln’s Christ’s Hospital, Robert Pattinson, The Gartree, Carres Grammar, Branston Community College, Boston Grammar, Priory LCCS, William Farr and Cotelands.
Edward Wells, 15, a student at Robert Pattinson School, said like this were an change from lessons.
He said: “You get to focus more on different areas, like design.
“Hopefully, we’re going to do well this year. What’s the point if we’re not here to win?”
The competition is run in conjunction with the Electronics In Schools strategy and the Lincolnshire Schools Inter-Schools Challenge.
The winner will be announced on October 19 at The Hub in Sleaford.
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