Ms. Baksh's journey began in Trinidad, when she placed first at the local network's PATW competition in June 2014.  In a little under a month she prepared herself to compete against the top finalists from around the Americas region.The Americas Regional final was held in Fullerton, California on Saturday 26th July.





The participants were taken on a tour of the California State University at Fullerton Campus and then treated to a welcome dinner at the Marriot CSU Fullerton, during which a token of the national instrument was presented to Mr. Harvey on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago LN.






Mr. Julian Harvey was the SoCal Host and organizer for the Americas Regional Final PATW event.






The following day, the competition began at the CSU Fullerton, Titan Student Union.  After the first round of presenting, the five competitors eargerly await the judges decision in the Gabrielino Room of the Student Union.


Always ready to impart knowledge of their past experiences in the PATW, the finalists meet with past competitors to discuss strategy.  Ryan Goring and Macauley Kenney share their secrets of the event during a well deserved lunch break.






At the end, Faheema and Imran Mouna were selected as the two finalists to compete later that night at the Mariott.


The guests at the Mariott were captivated by the discussions of David McQuiggan, the feature speaker, as he spoke about engineering as a career and this resonated with the young professionals, as they embark upon their journeys.


Also of note was the introduction of the "Things Engineers (with kids) look forward to".  That date being March 14, 2015 at 9:26:53, recognised as 3.141592653 (we know the rest!) also known as Pi day!


The final leg of the Americas Regional final culminated with a dinner and the two finalists presenting their work to the audience.  First Faheema and then Imran Mouna.


Ms. Baksh's presentation, of the automation of biomass briquetting machine and how re-engineering the design of the briquetting would alter the efficacy of the energy liberated during combustion, impressed the judging panel and was declared the winner of the PATW Regional finals and secured her place to London to compete at the global finals in November.


Russ Burnham, who was present for the event, as a member of the IET SoCal LN and helped host the North Americas final, stated "All of the contestants were very good, Faheema's research and wider application of her subject won it for me."






Naomi Climer, the Deputy President of the IET, presented Faheema with her certificate as the winner of the finals.


The friendships formed during the IET events, especially at these Regional finals, leave a lasting impression and it clearly shows what being a member of the IET really means.