Three hard-working students at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys were presented with a 3D printer by a senior university lecturer for winning at the TeenTech Awards.
Year 10 pupils Alex Cole, Sam Barker and Will Shoosmith were given the prize by Ian Wilson, from the engineering department of Coventry University, on November 24.
The boys’ invention, a flat-pack ’emergency housing solution’ for use after earthquakes or any situation in which such shelter would be needed, won in the manufacturing and the environmental categories of the awards in June.
Mr Wilson, one of the judges for the manufacturing category, praised the students’ hard work.
A spokesman for the school said: “He commended the three students on their achievements with the design and development of such an innovative product, and then went on to explain to assembled students and staff what had made the boys’ work stand out in the national competition.
“The strength and quality of their work were made all the clearer when the three students presented an extremely well-planned, comprehensive and fascinating outline of their project and how it had progressed to become the only project to win in two categories at the awards finals.
“The three boys were thrilled to receive such an exciting and well-deserved prize, and were very pleased when Ian offered to stay on and show them how to use the printer. He also offered some extensive advice on how they could progress their idea for more permanent housing solutions for victims of natural disasters or for those who have been displaced due to conflict or war.”
The school thanked Mr Wilson, who stayed on to work with students across the design technology department, for his ‘generosity and insight’.
Mr Wilson said: “I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed my visit with you and the boys, you are doing a fantastic job with them and I can see from their work they really enjoyed the TeenTech.”
