Schoolchildren from the Falkirk area launched enthusiastically into an innovative rocket car time trial heat at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus this week. (Wednesday 1 June).
And Denny High School zoomed to the top of the podium with one of the fastest speeds across Scotland as their Bloodhound Supersonic Car scorched to 95.6 mph on the day!
Bloodhound SuperSonic Cars - built in the UK by a team of Formula 1 and aerospace experts – were distributed throughout Falkirk area schools by FVC’s Applied Science, Maths and Mechanical Engineering Department. The aim was to inspire kids about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM subjects) with a challenge – battling physics and a journey to the unknown - to get their cars to reach 1,000 mph.
The Bloodhound Model Rocket Car Challenge is a global competition backed by Guinness World Records, inviting teams of school children and youth clubs to set their own records by building and racing model rocket cars across their playgrounds and into the record books.
The project has teamed up with Microsoft to develop the car programme to integrate micro:bit technology into the car design. The British Army and the Dendrite Duke of York Inspiring Digital Enterprise award are also backers of the initiative.
It is hoped teachers and students can access research, design and testing of their supersonic jet and rocket powered car and through this project young people can learn about: Newton’s Laws, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Teamwork, Time, Keeping, Engineering and Computing.
Fiona Jackson, Curriculum Manager of FVC’s Applied Science, Maths and Mechanical Engineering, said:
“It was a really good day and went well. I think all who attended enjoyed themselves and we wish Denny High School all the best in the next round.”
Denny High School who won the Falkirk Campus heat, will now travel to the National finals for Scotland’s top 30 teams Thursday 9 June 2016 at the Glasgow Science Centre.