Pupils build and race eco-friendly car

Stoke-on-Trent school Birches Head Academy has started its preparations for KMF’s Young Engineer of the Year (YEOTY) Race Day. The race will take place on July 9, 2014, at Darley Moor race track near Ashbourne. The Birches Head Academy team has been working hard over the last few months to build the fastest eco-friendly car this year. 

The team has a chance to win a number of prizes on the day, including Best Designed Car, Fastest Lap or KMF’s Young Engineer of the Year award. In addition, the Birches Head Academy students will meet Channel 5’s Jason Bradbury, the official host and one of the judges on the day.

The race car was donated by precision sheet metal manufacturer KMF as part of the company’s YEOTY campaign. KMF is working with 18 local high schools to engage and inspire the next generation of young engineers. The purpose of the project is to address the skills gap in engineering and equip young people with the competences they will need once they leave school.

Birches Head Academy was also allocated a local sponsor. IFB Logistics has provided the racing team with much-needed tools, equipment and overalls.

The Birches Head Academy team has already tested its car in the trial runs at a Greenpower event held at the Rockingham Motor Speedway in Northamptonshire last month.

The Greenpower Educational Trust encourages participants to build green, battery-powered cars. Its mission is to inspire, develop and promote students’ understanding of design and engineering. Greenpower holds events up and down the country for secondary schools to attend and was the obvious partner for KMF to work with on this year’s project.

Birches Head performed particularly well at Rockingham. Out of a class of 46 cars, they were nominated for the best engineered car. Following their success, the students have continued working on the car ahead of the big event in July. “I have really enjoyed the task of making changes to our car,” explained the team captain, Morgan Degg. “I’ve always been really passionate about cars and racing, but I never thought I’d have the opportunity to open up an actual race car, understand how it works and even make my own improvements to it. These last months have definitely taken my interest to another level. I’m seriously considering automotive engineering as a career option.”

“The initiative has been very successful among our students and the support we’ve had from our partners has been indispensable,” commented Karen Healey, head teacher of Birches Head Academy. “Being able to take engineering out of the classroom and into the practical and exciting environment of a race course has definitely inspired and motivated our students to do their best.  Birches Head Academy is always open to innovative learning initiatives and takes pride in offering students extracurricular activities that reflect their hobbies, while also equipping them with future-proof skills.”

The race organiser, KMF encourages participants to build green, battery-powered cars. Their mission is to inspire, develop and promote students’ understanding of design and engineering.