We are helping in the search for a new generation of engineering and computer science experts.

Ifor Williams Trailers are backing the high tech activities in the Science Pavilion at the National Eisteddfod in Denbigh which starts on August 2.

We have joined forces with the festival and the Technocamp organisation at Bangor University to run a series of challenges for schoolchildren during Eisteddfod week.

Two of their trailers are being used as the base for a track to be navigated by a remote control robot pulling a tenth scale model of a tipper trailer.

The 30cm-long mini tipper trailer is a working replica of the full-size model and has been built by Leading Design Engineer Kevin Shuttleworth, from Ifor Williams Trailers, who lives in Wrexham.

Andrew Reece Jones, the Design Engineering Manager, said the firm was delighted to support the activities at the Science Pavilion.

He said: "The National Eisteddfod is a unique part of our cultural fabric and this particular project chimes perfectly with our ethos of encouraging an interest in engineering and technology."

Kim Jones, School Liaison Officer for Technocamp, was particularly grateful to Ifor Williams Trailers for their support.

She explained the contestants will have to navigate a route around a map of Wales.

The pupil with the best time at the end of the week will win an educational Lego Mindstorm kit worth £400 for their school.

Kim said: "The contestants will have to follow a black line - the route will include the names of famous Welsh inventors and Welsh companies like Ifor Williams Trailers, collecting different things on the way.

"The idea behind it is that Technocamps are all about getting young children to be enthusiastic about Computer Science again.

"We’re trying to persuade schools to take this subject on in September so that children can have the opportunity to study Computer Science.

"There are so many vacancies which need to be filled where a background in Computer Science is necessary."

It was a theme echoed by Elfed Roberts, the Director of the National Eisteddfod, who also thanked Ifor Williams Trailers.

He said: "This competition at the Eisteddfod is very exciting - what we’re trying to do is to persuade children and young people that technology is important to them and that they should consider Science or Technology maybe as a career choice.

"It is also helps us to keep children and young people on the Maes because there is something exciting here for them to do at the Eisteddfod

"The Science Pavilion is one of the most exciting and interesting places and it succeeds in keeping hundreds of children and young people occupied throughout the day, every day.

"We’re also trying to prove to them that there is a way of enjoying science through the medium of the Welsh language.

"What is also interesting about the support we are getting from Ifor Williams Trailers is that it has enabled us to access further financial support from Arts & Business Cymru and that has enabled us to establish the Eisteddfod’s supergroup, Endaf Gremlin.

"They are a group of well-known musicians who have come together and they've been around Wales performing their songs and holding workshops. They will performing at Maes B during the Eisteddfod."

Leading Design Engineer Kevin Shuttleworth has thoroughly enjoyed the project.

He said:"The model in question is based on our tipper trailer and I have been using a desktop machine that use to make prototype parts.

"It's been a lot of fun and I can't wait to see it in action."

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News » Competition tipped for success at Eisteddfod