STEM Success With Bloodhound
An education event which saw over 700 people view a supersonic car that was displayed in Newtown, has been hailed a success by organisers.
The world-renowned Bloodhound SSC, a unique and high-technology project to design and build a car that will break the 1,000mph barrier and set a new world land speed record, was at Newtown’s Hafren for three days last week.
The education event was organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group as part of its Futureproofing Engineering Project. The project is supported by Powys County Council.
NPTC students studying engineering, motor vehicles and electronics took part in the first day of activity sessions with media students joining in for a question and answer sessions with the three Bloodhound STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Ambassadors.
The ambassadors were Anthony Rhodes, a former student from the college from Machynlleth; Mark Werrell, one of the UK’s top motorsport commentators; and Allan Read, who was involved in the Thrust SSC which holds the current world land speed record.
The second and third days saw pupils from Newtown and Llanidloes high schools and pupils from Hafren and Dafydd Llwyd primary schools take part in various STEM-related activities linked to the Bloodhound SSC.
The activities included a ‘Tour and Explore’ of the new modular Bloodhound education car – a full-size model which Anthony Rhodes designed to enable the project to get more accessible venues. The interactive car consists of touch screen panels, which depict the Bloodhound through an interactive guided tour of the car and its components which enabled them to observe and understand the design challenges and science that goes into designing and building a 1,000mph car.
The evening sessions proved popular and provided an opportunity for those of all ages to experience the driving simulator, test K’nex cars with an air-powered launcher and chat to the STEM ambassadors.
Details of a new competition called ‘Race for the Line’ were also provided by Anthony Rhodes, who said: “This is a new project with Bloodhound and Microsoft to develop its model rocket car programme to integrate BBC’s micro:bit, enabling it to run model rocket car competitions for schools.
“This is a great opportunity for students excited about STEM to work as a team and get hands-on experience of programming and aerodynamics in a fun way. A dedicated website – www.racefortheline.com – has lots more information.”
Cllr Avril York, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “I would like to thank to Bloodhound SSC Education Programme for coming to our county and thanks must also go to the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group for making it happen.
“The event was a huge success and I’m delighted that so many pupils and members of the public were able to see for themselves how important Bloodhound is in inspiring young people to get into STEM subjects.
“The engineering sector in Powys employs over 5,000 people. To help futureproof this vital sector we need to ensure a pipeline of young people that are able to support it. By showcasing projects like the Bloodhound, we can help to stimulate interest in the engineering sector.”
Ceri Stephens, Group Manager for Mid Wales Manufacturing Group, said: “We were delighted that we were able to bring the Bloodhound SSC Education Programme to Powys. I’m sure that the different activities that took place during the three days will prove to be a real inspiration to the young people that took part.”
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