School Engineering competition recently.

Even though only nine of the 35 entries got to participate in this year's competition, The Bermuda Association of Professional Engineers (BAPE) feels it was a success.

"The cars had to be built using non-commercial parts and weigh no more tham 150 grams,'' said BAPE member Michael Tucker. "The cars could use commercial gears and wheels, but the rest had to be all hand made.'' The winners were judged based on which car went the farthest and had the fastest time.

Michael Sinclair beat out all others when his home-made car went 41 feet in 34.59 seconds across the gymnasium floor at Spice Valley Middle School.

Stephanie Adderley and Logan Alexander of Saltus Grammar School were awarded the second and third place prizes.

Michael took home a Dell Dimension Multimedia computer with a North Rock internet account donated to the competition by Bermuda Microsystems Ltd. and North Rock Communications.

Also Mount St. Agnes was presented with $1,000 for the technology and science departments.

Stephanie earned $500 when her car went 36 feet in 11.47 seconds and Logan won $250 for his 23.29 feet in an amazing 5.09 seconds.

Saltus was awarded a total of $1,250 for their prize winning students.

The cash prizes were courtesy of Bermuda Electric Light Company and Bermuda Telephone Company.

BAPE members went to the various schools around the island to speak with students and give them some ideas with demonstration cars before the competition.

"The reason for the competition is to raise the profile of engineers in Bermuda,'' said Mr. Tucker. "Two of our sponsors are the largest employers of engineers on the Island.

"We want to promote engineering, which they (the students) already do as part of the curriculum, but add another aspect -- make it fun.''