The fight against Ebola was taken to the classroom last week as an engineering student from Baildon took first prize for her pop-up isolation unit design.
Emily Nar, a Year 11 student at Titus Salt School, developed the ‘Pop-I’ as her entry to the Talent 2030 competition – a nationwide engineering competition for girls.
The specification was to develop a model which would help tackle a 21st century issue with entrants submitting designs for their respected age categories.
Students from Essex to the Highlands submitted designs, yet it was the West Yorkshire representative who clinched top prize.
As well as picking up the £500 prize, Emily was presented with exciting opportunities to be mentored by an engineer, to visit the Rolls Royce factory in Derby and to showcase her invention at The Big Bang – a national fair for young scientists and engineers on 14th March in Birmingham.
The 15-year-old has also been shortlisted from nearly 1,600 applicants for a prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship.
Explaining how she got involved with the project, the aspiring aerospace engineer said: “We did the competition as something fun during the last days of the Christmas term.
“There was a lot of research that went into it including a trip to the Leeds General infirmary to interview a doctor about what the design would have to include.
“It was a lot of hard work but I honestly don’t know why more girls don’t get involved with engineering or science.
“It’s such a fun way to make a really good living and it’s the most important work going on in the world right now.”
Mr James Reid, physics teacher at the school, said Emily’s accomplishments were thoroughly deserved after helping her submit the proposal just before heading home for the holidays.
“Emily is a great student and excels in a lot of her subjects,” he said. “We are very big on these lessons here so for her to be successful is great for Emily and the school.”
Deputy Head, Simon Hawkins added: “Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) is strong at Titus Salt School and we are delighted and proud of Emily’s achievements.
“Her hard work, creativity and innovation are exemplary. Well done, Emily.”
