The energy car challenge

Right here, design and build your cars, test them in practice sessions then compete to beat the competition, turn science to GLORY.

Secondary

Ages 11 to 21
In-school
1 July 2022 to 1 July 2023
Full day
Cost applies

Run by Hartlepool College of Further Education.

Check availability

It is hands-on, it is fun!

It does require lots of Knex resource (which would be provided for the duration of the event).

The session has been delivered many times for many years and schools/colleges typically pay a fee for the managed delivery of the session unless other funding arrangements are in place.

Age groups year 5 upwards, sessions can be run with any age/abilities.

It can be adapted and extended easily to include lots of industrial careers and project management.

Capacity

Minimum of 10 participants, maximum of 60 participants.

Cost

Typically £200 to £300 ex. VAT for a day-long session, subject to additional mileage/travel/subsistence costs.

Duration

Ideally, a day-long event but can be adapted to suit student numbers and age/ability groups.

Typically this session is done as a competition and can be done as a number of sessions which can build up the skills of the teams gradually and can be used to foster the concept of continuous improvement, just like the real world of motorsport, engineering & industrial design and projects/manufacturing.

Learning outcomes

Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
Improve attainment and progress in STEM subjects
Learning what the engineering workplace is like
Develop engineering employability skills
Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering

Subjects and topics

- Design and Technology
- Engineering
- Maths
- Physics
- Design, art and fashion
- Energy and environment
- General engineering
- Materials, products and manufacturing
- Mechanical engineering, systems and processes
- Transport

Gatsby benchmarks

The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:

Linking curriculum learning to careers
Encounters with employers and employees
Experiences of workplaces
Encounters with further and higher education

Essential skills

The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:

Creativity - the use of imagination and the generation of new ideas.
Problem solving - the ability to find a solution to a complex situation or challenge.
Staying positive - the ability to use tactics to overcome setbacks and achieve goals.
Teamwork - working cooperatively with others towards achieving a shared goal.