Humber Engineers are set a 200-second Challenge for Anniversary Year

Civil engineers across the Humber are being set a special bi-centenary challenge to mark the anniversary of their professional body – pitch an idea in 200 seconds at the setting of one of the most impressive engineering feats ever.

The Institution of Civil Engineers is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2018 and has chosen the Grade 1-listed Humber Bridge as the backdrop for its milestone challenge, called Pitch 200. The competition will be held at the Bridge Board headquarters in Ferriby Road, Hessle, East Yorkshire on Tuesday 27th February, 6pm, when the candidates will present their ideas to a panel.

The winner of Pitch 200, organised by the Humber Civils Network, will progress to the Yorkshire regional competition in York on 25th April 2018. As one of the four core national activities for ICE 200, this competition is an opportunity to show the general public how civil engineers transform lives directly, to encourage the next generation into the profession.

Pitch 200 draws on engineers’ creativity to demonstrate a particular aspect of civil engineering to a public audience. Members at every level have the opportunity to submit a presentation in the weirdest, wackiest and most unconventional way using anything at their disposal to explain their chosen idea.

Entering the Pitch 200 gives a chance to promote civil engineering as an exciting industry to the public; develop skills and confidence in public speaking; and become an ICE Regional Ambassador for 2019.

Initial entries are by a 60-second video summary of what the full presentation would be, and can be based on personal work, area of expertise or another aspect on civil engineering. It can be adapted from project reports, university/employment research papers or something entirely new.

Penny Marshall, the ICE’s regional director for Yorkshire and Humber, said: “No one knows civil engineering better than those on the ground practising it, that’s what makes these talks so fascinating.

“The passion that engineers in East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire express in their work will no doubt be conveyed in each presentation, and I am very much looking forward to listening to them.”

The winner of the Humber regional heat will also be given a VIP tour of the Bridge.
Dr Kevin Moore, Chief Executive of the Humber Bridge says: “There is no better setting for great civil engineering ideas than here at this testament to spectacular structures. We wish the competitors well in their pitches.”

Entrants need to complete the form on the ICE website and submit a 60-second video with the idea by Monday 19th February 2018:

https://www.ice.org.uk/about-ice/near-you/uk/yorkshire-and-humber/awards#pitch200

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