What better way to engage young people in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), than getting them to compete in an innovative nation-wide challenge?
Colin McLaughlin, Clydebank Campus Motor Vehicle Lecturer, and his colleagues are leading the involvement of Scottish Colleges in the Bloodhound Model Rocket Car Challenge. Launched on the 18th of April, this Challenge takes inspiration from the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car (SSC), designed and currently tested to break the land speed world record and go over 1,000mph!
Secondary schools from all across Scotland were invited to take part in the Challenge and to have their pupils create small cars, models of the Bloodhound SSC, and then race to go as fast as possible – some model rocket cars have already reached 84mph!
Scottish colleges have been called in to help run the Challenge – 15 institutions have joined and been trained to form a network of regional Rocket Car Programme hubs. Thanks to Colin’s active involvement, our College has been chosen to be the lead hub – helping others run the Challenge.
With kits provided by Bloodhound and the support of teachers and hub tutors, teams of pupils are designing and building their cars and programming the integrated BBC micro:bit handheld computers to get their ‘rockets on wheels’ to go as fast as possible.
Colin says: “The Challenge provides a great opportunity to get secondary school pupils excited about science, work as a team and get hands on experience of programming and aerodynamics in some of the most fun way possible.”
The school teachers are thrilled to take part in the project. They really value the support provided by Colin and recognise the huge contribution the challenge makes in getting pupils excited about STEM subjects. Read what they say:
“It has been a frantic two weeks of work, designing the perfect cars, which have paid off for our pupils as they topped the leader board in Scotland. This project has really created an excitement for STEM subjects that we haven’t seen the like of before!” – George Bream, Acting Curriculum leader Science, Dumbarton Academy
"Working with our Hub expert Colin McLaughlin made the whole experience easier to deploy in the classroom. As teachers, we could really focus upon the curricular impact of the Bloodhound project safe in the knowledge that Colin would take care of the official side of things.” – Frank Bannon, Design & Technology Teacher, Glasgow City Council
“Pupils have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the Model Rocket Car Competition. It has provided a fantastic opportunity for them to use their transferable STEM skills in a group situation to design, manufacture and test a range of very successful model rocket cars.” – Kirsty Jamison, St Ninian's High School
After building their cars, all teams of one hub race against each other and the 30 fastest teams from all hubs will race at the Scottish Final taking place on the 9th of June at the Glasgow Science Centre. Mark the date and come to share the supersonic experience!
All 30 finalist teams will get their school’s name printed on the tailfin of the Bloodhound SSC and the winner will be invited to watch one of its test runs at the Newquay airport. The three fastest teams will also see their school awarded with prize money.
Bloodhound Scotland is a partnership between Energy skills Partnership (ESP), Microsoft, the Army, Education Scotland and the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC) and the Scottish Model Rocket Car Competition is sponsored by the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car (SSC), iDEA and Dendrite. All partners involved are delighted with the positive impact the project has had so far and are looking forward to the Scottish Final and seeing the pupils enjoying the big race!
“Having recently developed our STEM Strategy to engage with schools we have identified a number of partners to work with including Education Scotland, Scottish Schools Education Research Centre, Skills Development Scotland, BLOODHOUND, EngineeringUK and the Glasgow Science Centre. This is the first programme to be rolled out and has been a fantastic partnership. You must see this, young people love it and are clearly inspired.” – Jim Brown, Director of Energy Skills Partnership
“The Army are excited to be part of this partnership that is bringing the Bloodhound Scotland project to secondary school pupils across the country. Our team have enjoyed working with ESP to promote STEM subjects as we recognise the value of these skills in our own future apprentices. The Rocket Car Challenge is a brilliant initiative that has enthused students and enabled them to get involved with science, technology, engineering and maths in a practical way. The project has given these young people a better understanding of how STEM subjects can be used in various job roles to help them build their careers in the future.” – Ed Fenton, Regional Operations Manager for Scotland, The Army