East Huntspill School has been awarded £1,000 by National Grid for creating a time capsule to place inside the Hinkley Connection Project’s new T-pylons.
To mark the construction of the project’s T-pylons in the region, pupils from 14 nearby schools created time capsules containing predictions, messages and present-day memorabilia for the future.
All 116 T-pylons were completed in April, with the 14 capsules placed inside the T-shaped structures and participating schools were entered into a prize draw which was won by East Huntspill Primary Academy and St Anne’s Church Academy in Hewish.
National Grid representatives have visited the chools to present pupils and staff with a giant cheque.
East Huntspill’s time capsule contains predictions about the year 2091 – the date the capsules cannot be opened before, as stated on instructions to National Grid engineers on the capsule containers.
The new design of the T-pylons, unlike traditional lattice pylons, feature a hollow stem and presented a unique opportunity for the capsules to be placed safely inside.
Before creating their capsule, each participating school was offered special ‘Energy and You’ sessions led by engineers from the Hinkley Connection Project.
The aim was to get pupils thinking – as part of the STEM curriculum – about where electricity comes from and where it’s used, as well as to share more about how the new T-pylons that the pupils now see every day were made, and how they could be part of this world-first.
Mrs Skinner, class teacher at East Huntspill Primary Academy, said: “What a wonderful way to end the term! Thank you National Grid. It’s been a great initiative to be part of and really got the children’s imagination and creativity going when they thought about who might open the capsules in 90 years’ time. We’re excited to come back in September and decide with the children what kind of STEM activity they would like to spend the prize money on.”
Steve Haskayne, project director from National Grid, added: “T-time gave pupils a fantastic opportunity to think about how we all use energy now and in the future, and learn more about the critical infrastructure National Grid is building right here in Somerset.”
“We’ve worked alongside communities here for a number of years, so we also wanted local schools to feel part of the project and perhaps even inspire some engineers of tomorrow. We’ve really enjoyed seeing what the schools have put inside their capsules – thank you to all the schools who took part for their enthusiasm and creativity.”
