Ri Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science Masterclasses are hands-on and interactive extracurricular sessions led by top experts from academia and industry for keen and talented young people all around the UK.

The Masterclass ‘A bridge too far’ led by David Jazani, Senior Lecturer in Building Technologies & Construction from the University of Bedfordshire with volunteers from the Royal Institution focused on structures and how they behave.

The young people had to design, manufacture and construct a bridge, spanning 600mm made out of lollipop and cocktail sticks as well as hard-gums and jellies. At the end of the task a load of 15N was applied to the structure to see if the design withstood the load.

Sheredes School, Hoddesden came out top in a Masterclass organised by the Royal Institution to attract young people into science and technology.

Other schools at the Masterclass were Tring School; Cavendish and Longdean Schools in Hemel Hempstead; St Albans Girls School; Rickmansworth; and Sheredes in Hoddesden

David Jazani said: “It was great to see how involved the students got with the task. There was a whole range of designs – some of which collapsed under the load – while other teams who thought outside of the box came up with some really successful designs.

“The winning team from Sheredes School were worthy winners. Their design incorporated features required from the exercise and the two lads were very observant and studious, they just got on with the task, focused on the requirement and achieved a very strong structure.”

“The Royal Institution Masterclasses give me a chance to pass my enthusiasm for the subject on to a younger generation. Hopefully through the Masterclass I will have inspired at least one person to take up Engineering and Technology.”

The regional masterclass held at the end of January at the Paper Mill, Hemel Hempstead was organised by the Royal Institution to attract young people into science and technology.

It is the fourth Masterclass lecture led by the University of Bedfordshire. Previously lectures were held at UTC Dunstable and the Royal Institution itself with another one planned for later this month at the same venue, the Paper Mill in Hemel Hempstead.

Topics have included energy conservation, energy harvesting, and telecommunications and structures.

Future Masterclass topics that students can take part in are: bridge building; designing structures to withstand earthquakes; steam engineering in industry; robotics and handling materials; and telecommunications and electronics.

Further information about RI Masterclasses can be found at www.rigb.org/education/masterclasses