Walton Academy’s year 9 engineering team has secured an impressive fourth-place finish at the 2026 Lincolnshire Institute of Technology (LIoT) STEM Challenge, demonstrating creativity, teamwork and outstanding problem-solving skills.
Held at the Lincolnshire Showground, this year’s challenge, Smooth ‘n’ Steady, brought together schools from across Lincolnshire to design and build a trailer capable of transporting a bucket containing seven litres of water across a demanding obstacle course. Teams were judged on the amount of water remaining at the finish, alongside the quality of their engineering, innovation, build and overall design.
Working together over several months, Walton’s students designed, tested and refined their solution before putting it to the test on competition day. Their hard work paid off with a fantastic fourth-place finish against strong competition from across the county.
The project was supported by Walton Academy’s Engineering Club and our valued partnership with Harlaxton Engineering Services, whose expertise and ongoing support helped students develop their ideas and gain a greater understanding of engineering in the real world. Through this partnership, students have also explored the exciting career pathways available within the engineering sector, helping to bring classroom learning to life.
Taking part in the challenge enabled students to apply their knowledge in a practical setting while developing essential skills including communication, resilience, critical thinking and collaboration. Experiences such as these play an important role in raising aspirations and encouraging young people to consider future careers in STEM.
Congratulations to all of the students who represented Walton Academy so brilliantly. Their commitment, determination and teamwork throughout the project embodied The Walton Way, and they should be incredibly proud of their achievement.
We would also like to thank the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology and all of the employers and partners involved in delivering another inspiring STEM Challenge and providing valuable opportunities for young people across Lincolnshire.
