Photograph of the tricycle adapters, designed for an Applied Mechanics project 1976. RGS Archives, Bill Elliott Collection [ref: Acc 0104]
Technology Partnerships
Technology Partnerships: Then and Now
Since the Applied Mechanics A Level was launched in 1974, students of Engineering, Design & Technology (EDT) at RGS have worked on numerous innovative projects in partnership with local schools. In 2025, the EDT department is still collaborating with schools to create new technical solutions for real-world challenges.
"The aim of Applied Mechanics projects was to promote both ingenuity and inventiveness."
Applied Mechanics Projects photograph album, RGS Archives [ref: 567]
Early Projects
Some of the projects designed by the students have included examples of adaptive equipment. A Level students in the 1970s worked with lots of different schools to create projects which aimed to meet an identified accessibility need for individual children.
Examples included:
Tricycle Adapters (1976 & 1977)
Percy Hedley School in Forest Hall had been gifted several tricycles. However, the design of the pedals made them difficult or impossible for many students to use. RGS students designed a device to attach on to the pedals which allowed the students to pedal without slipping. The plastic cover was vacuum-formed at Newcastle Polytechnic (now Northumbria University).
Climbing Frame (1976 & 1982)
This was a project idea to design a climbing frame that could stimulate sensory responses using lights and sounds. RGS students worked with Northgate Hospital School in Morpeth (1976) and Pendower School in Newcastle (1982).
A ‘Video Low-Vision Aid’ (1979)
The aim of this project was to support visually impaired children to read and write independently. RGS students created a video system, after hearing that South Tyneside Council could not afford to buy a similar system for schools in the area. Research at the time had shown that no similar project existed in the UK. Research was carried out at the Medical Physics Department at Newcastle General Hospital. The project was awarded £500 from the Royal Jubilee Trust and National Westminster Bank to help fund the project.
Photograph of a climbing frame, designed for an Applied Mechanics project 1976. RGS Archives, Bill Elliott Collection [ref: 575]
Image of the video 'low-vision aid', designed by RGS students in 1979. RGS Archives [ref: 578]
Old Novo Graeme Harker (1970-81) who studied Applied Mechanics 1979-80, remembers working on the ‘Video Low-Vision Aid’ project, and how it came about:
"I think I was pottering about with an electronic video project and the [Applied Mechanics] teacher said, "could you use that to make a page of a book appear huge on a TV screen?" "Why?" "'Cos I know some kids whose lives might be changed if you could". So we did! I learned a bit about "image processing" i.e. generating TV image signals (all analogue at the time)."
RGS EDT Projects 2025
These partnership projects continue today. In 2024-25, two Year 12 students worked collaboratively with a student at Northern Counties School to develop specific products that could help meet an accessibility need whilst at school.
The projects were initiated by students' Ishika and Sophia, as both were keen to work on creating tools that could support different accessibility needs. Our partners Northern Counties School were able to suggest potential projects that could benefit all partners.
RGS students visited Northern Counties School numerous times, receiving invaluable guidance from the student they worked with and their Support Assistant, learning about their individual needs. The Northern Counties student also visited RGS to see where our students were building their projects.
Project Overview: Bespoke Art Grip
This project by Sophia aimed to create a bespoke 3D-printed ‘grip’ to perfectly fit the hand and grip of an individual person, that enables the use of art equipment. Different brush heads and sponges were created as interchangeable attachments.
The project met an access need of the student, as the existing 'adaptive' paint brushes available were designed in a way that the student could not hold them, meaning they could not get involved in creating artworks.
Image of the bespoke art grip, EDT project designed by RGS student Sophia.
Image of the bespoke art grip, EDT project designed by RGS student Sophia.
Design for a smart wheelchair control panel, EDT project designed by RGS student Ishika.
Image of the prototype smart wheelchair control panel, EDT project designed by RGS student Ishika.
Project Overview: Smart Wheelchair Control Panel
This project by Ishika aimed to create a fully accessible control panel for a smart wheelchair. The smart wheelchair that the student had access to at school had an existing control panel that is placed on their lap, with a button that allows the user to move themselves around, giving greater independence. The current control panel button was static and often very difficult or impossible for the user to press.
The project developed a new control panel where the button itself can be moved around the whole panel and placed in a position where the user could reach it. The button is moved by the person's support assistant, then when in place it can be locked in position.
Photograph of the smart wheelchair controller EDT project in use, at Northern Counties School.
The RGS students were expertly guided throughout by our EDT teachers, including Mr Warne, Dr Bunce, Mr Lowe, Miss Kenny, Mr Barker, Mr Hill and Ms Pipes. They gained valuable skills including how to work in partnership with others, about different communication styles, and how to work with individual people on creating a bespoke product. Without the insight, support and feedback given, which was a huge part of the partnership, the projects would not have been as effective.
The Future
There are lots of exciting possibilities for future projects in the EDT Department and working in partnership will continue to play a large part.
Old Novo and RGS Governor Jim Ryan (ON 1968-78), of PlayStation fame, has recently donated a Sony/PlayStation adaptive controller to RGS, so who knows what incredible inventions might come from this exciting piece of equipment!
John Smith, our Director of Partnerships, writes:
“Northern Counties School are also incredibly supportive partners for RGS in more aspects of teaching and learning. In particular, they provide expert input and a visit for our Maths and Physics trainees every year. It is a wonderful, mutually beneficial relationship between the two schools, that we know will continue to flourish.”