Rocket car racing pupils at a Yorkshire school lined up against each other as they took part in a national competition to inspire the next generation of electronics engineers.
Year 7 pupils at Bradford Grammar School (BGS) were among thousands across the country taking part in the Race for the Line competition, which challenged pupils to design, build and race a rocket car that goes faster than 1,000mph.
Led by the BLOODHOUND team of engineers, the competition gave pupils a taste of super speed by designing their own cars using the BBC micro:bit, a remarkable mini PC that teaches youngsters and adults how to code.
Schools with the fastest teams will have the chance to win a trip to South Africa to spend an unforgettable week with the BLOODHOUND team as they strive to break the Land Speed Record.
BGS Head of Year 7, Emma Tomlinson said: “‘It’s been an amazing event and the pupils absolutely loved it. Their camaraderie was palpable; they demonstrated great support and encouragement of each other.
“It’s a great opportunity to get pupils excited about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), work as a team and get hands on experience of programming and aerodynamics in one of the most enjoyable ways possible.”
Aside from all the fun, the cross-curricular learning has included Newton’s Third Law of Motion, physics, engineering, how rockets work, teamwork and mathematics to calculate the speed.’ A fantastic afternoon for all involved.
Lance Corporal De Silva added: “The pupils have been so enthusiastic; the most enthusiastic of all the groups we have worked with so far. The fastest time recorded today was 45.3, which incidentally is the fastest time we have recorded so far! BGS could be in with a shot at the title, which is great. It has been a pleasure to be here today.”
BGS Headmaster, Simon Hinchliffe agreed: “This amazing competition is exciting and inspiring young engineers all over the country, with thousands of teams taking part in this event. Teachers and business leaders recognise that we all need to play a role in helping to create the next generation of electronics engineers from a young age. I’m delighted that Bradford Grammar School is playing its part and embracing this exciting project.”
Bradford Grammar School proudly hosts a series of electronic and cyber related events. These include participation in ‘Formula 1 in Schools Racing Car Design competition’, the ‘Arkwright Engineering Scholarships’, the ‘inaugural Cyber Games Yorkshire and Humberside’, and BGS pupils were among the first in the country to be awarded an ‘Extended Project Qualification’ (EPQ) in Cybersecurity.
“‘It’s been an amazing event and the pupils absolutely loved it. Their camaraderie was palpable; they demonstrated great support and encouragement of each other.
It’s a great opportunity to get pupils excited about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), work as a team and get hands on experience of programming and aerodynamics in one of the most enjoyable ways possible.”
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