Local schools rewarded for their T-time capsules
To mark the construction of the world’s first operational T-pylons in Somerset, children from 14 schools nearest to National Grid’s Hinkley Connection Project have created time capsules that have now been placed inside the new structures.
All 116 T-pylons were completed in April and, with the 14 capsules all now placed inside, participating schools were entered into a prize draw. The result is that East Huntspill Primary Academy situated on the south of the Hinkley Connection route and St Anne’s Church Academy, Hewish, on the north have both been awarded £1,000 by National Grid.
National Grid representatives visited the schools to share the news with excited pupils and staff and present children with a giant cheque.
East Huntspill’s time capsule contains predictions about the year 2091. That’s the date that the capsules cannot be opened before, as stated on instructions to National Grid engineers on the capsule containers. St Anne’s capsule included a letter to children of the future, a local newspaper, school teddy bear mascot and photos of all the different classes.
The new design of the T-pylons, unlike traditional lattice pylons, feature a hollow stem and presented a unique opportunity for the capsules to be placed inside.
Before creating their capsule, each participating school was offered special ‘Energy and You’ sessions led by engineers from the Hinkley Connection Project. The aim was to get children thinking about where electricity comes from and where it’s used as part of the STEM curriculum, as well as to share more about how the new T-pylons that the children now see every day were made and how they could be part of this world-first. The sessions also inspired some engineers of the future.
It really got the children's imagination and creativity going
“We loved taking part in T-Time,” said Ms Hunt, Year 3 teacher at St Anne’s Church School. “It was a great way to get the children excited about electricity, how it’s made and how it gets to homes through a big project right on their doorstep. The children talk about ‘their’ T-pylon – the one that contains their capsule - a lot. The fact that one of our visitors was a female engineer also got some of our girls talking about jobs in the industry, which was brilliant to hear.”
Mrs Skinner, Class teacher at East Huntspill Primary Academy said, “What a wonderful way to end the term! Thank you National Grid. It’s been a great initiative to be part of and really got the children’s imagination and creativity going when they thought about who might open the capsules in 90 years’ time. We’re excited to come back in September and decide with the children what kind of STEM activity they would like to spend the prize money on.”
Steve Haskayne, Project Director from National Grid, added, “T-time gave pupils a fantastic opportunity to think about how we all use energy now and in the future and learn more about the critical infrastructure National Grid is building right here in Somerset.
“We’ve worked alongside communities here for a number of years so also wanted local schools to feel part of the project and perhaps even inspire some engineers of tomorrow. We’ve really enjoyed seeing what the schools have put inside their capsules - thank you to all the schools who took part for their enthusiasm and creativity.”
