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Six teams representing schools from across Northern Ireland, including Fort Hill Integrated College, took to the River Lagan in cardboard boats, which they had engineered as part of W5’s Ingenious Maritime Engineering for the Future programme, culminating in a Cardboard Regatta.

Funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Ingenious Award Scheme, Maritime Engineering for the Future aimed to inspire public engagement with engineering projects and provide opportunities for engineers to interact with the community.

The six school teams, alongside their mentor engineers and respective companies, travelled to W5 LIFE (Learning Innovation For Everyone) to participate in the programme's showcase event.

After months of theory and practical workshops, the teams presented innovative cardboard boat designs and communicated their engineering expertise to a panel of judges (Graham Knowles, Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology; Ian Duncan, Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology; Andrew Hunter, Survitec).

The culmination of the programme took place on Friday June 23, with the Cardboard Regatta, when the teams ventured into uncharted waters in their cardboard boats, engaging in thrilling races against their fellow participants.

Six cardboard trophies were up for grabs, along with two water resource boxes provided by the Royal Academy of Engineering Belfast Hub.

Fort Hill Integrated College came out on top, winning the award for best theme with their Super Mario themed boat. The team also took home the Regatta Challenge award, crossing the River Lagan in the shortest amount of time.

W5's Ingenious Maritime Engineering Programme not only showcased the impressive abilities of students but also highlighted the invaluable role of engineering in shaping our society.

Fort Hill Integrated College pupils set sail in W5's ingenious cardboard regatta