CONSTRUCTION students got inventive for a day to design a new wind-powered generator.

The Sustainability Day, organised by Kingston Maurward College and Dorset Construction Curriculum (DCCC), aimed to raise awareness of green energy solution and sustainable construction.

Students were split into five teams to design and build a working scale model of a tower-mounted wind-powered generator.

Each design was tested and adjusted to produce maximum electrical power output.

Clare Davison, college principal, said the day was a success and helped build teamwork and technical ability.

She said: “This practical challenge enabled students to test their technical abilities and to apply their knowledge in science, technology and sustainability in keeping with Kingston Maurward’s ethos.

“As a team competition, it encouraged our students to develop work skills such as team working, decision making and problem solving.”

Sylva Starke, of DCCC, said the day went very well and that the group is keen to host more events with the college.

She said: “We run this event and other competitions in schools to inspire students to pursue technical careers in construction and engineering and celebrate sustainability.

“Students can try their hand in something different in a fun and safe learning environment while getting exposed to the technical world.

“Due to the success of today’s project we’re hoping to embark on future projects with Kingston Maurward students, and possibly even staff training which is very exciting.”

John Allen, of INPUT, said: “Energy in the form of electricity is very expensive to make and most of our ways of making it produce pollution.

“In the future we are going to have to find more ways of making useful energy using natural resources such as wind, waves, tides and solar power.”

Paul Gale, who also attended on behalf of construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall, said he was impressed with the high level exhibited in the competition.

He said: “The standard of entries in this competition was extremely high, and I was very impressed by the approach the students took to the challenge.

“It’s superb to see the next generation of experts pushing the boundaries and I’m looking forward to seeing what they achieve in the future.”