Teesside's talented teenagers fly high

A group of school children will have their sights raised skywards with inflating hot air balloons and rocket launches as part of a summer school for high fliers hosted by the University of Teesside.

The inflation of a full-size hot air balloon takes place on Monday 21 August, between 1pm and 2.30pm, on the University's playing fields at Saltersgill - the facility shared with Acklam Rugby Club, at Easterside (entrance off Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough).

More hot air balloons - but smaller ones, the size of Chinese lanterns - will be made and launched inside the University of Teesside's Innovation and Virtual Reality Centre, off Borough Road, Middlesbrough, on Tuesday 22 August.

Wednesday 23 August sees the group of 39 children, aged from 11 to 13 from Middlesbrough schools, learn how to design a glider using the University's Computer-Aided Engineering and Design facilities.

Thursday 24 August is launch day for mini-rockets in front of the Innovation & Virtual Reality Centre - take-off is scheduled for around 11am. The children will make the rockets earlier in the morning in University laboratories.

Friday 25 August sees more work on computers and a presentation of certificates, at 3pm, in the Innovation Centre Lecture Theatre.

Lorraine Johnson, Curriculum Adviser for Design & Technology with Middlesbrough Council, said: "The Summer School is for gifted and talented children from many of our primary and secondary schools in Middlesbrough. It has been organised by the local authority, Education Action Zone and the University and follows a highly successful Design Technology summer school at the University last year.

"We picked flight as the theme because it something that would not necessarily be covered in school. Not only are we developing the children's knowledge and skills in science and technology, but we're also trying to get our brightest pupils to work together and improve their teamwork and use of literacy skills."

Paul Burdon, Deputy Director of the University's School of Science & Technology, said: "We are delighted to support this programme of activities for high fliers and give the children the chance to come inside our state-of-the-art Innovation Centre.

"We enjoy co-operating with Middlesbrough schools on community initiatives like this and opening the eyes of young people to the opportunities available at their local university. I look forward to seeing some of the young people again in several years time as students on our science and technology courses."

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