A Cambridge company is celebrating the successful result of its collaboration with a local primary school where it has been helping to enhance the teaching of science, technology, engineering and maths.
Domino Printing volunteered a team of technical specialists to work with classes at Newton Primary School in Eltisley with the objective of building two Goblin Kit Cars to be raced at Goodwood.
Over the last few months, 25 children aged 9-11 years have participated in a series of planned two-hour sessions, which included safety briefings, practical work on the cars, looking at factors that influence a car’s speed, discussing changes to improve performance, driving practice and other classroom activity
All of this led towards taking the cars to the Greenpower Education Trust’s regional Race Day which took place at Goodwood Motor Circuit on 21st July.
Two teams from Eltisley – named Vulcan and Newton Destroyer – competed in this year’s ‘Goodwood Gathering of Goblins’, finishing in 30th and 46th place respectively out of a total of 84 entrants.
“The Greenpower Project offers more than just racing a cart around the Goodwood circuit – it gives the young students of Newton Primary School the chance to engage with industry-qualified engineers through practical hands-on learning in a fun and enjoyable way.
Pupils cover a range of subjects such as properties of materials, strong shapes, DC current and friction including some driving skills along the way. Most importantly, it started the young people thinking about pursuing an engineering or science- based subject as a career.”
Phil Bailey - Model Shop Manager at Domino
The Goblin Kit Car is designed for 9-11-year-olds and comes with easy to follow instructions requiring only simple hand tools to build it. The children then design and create their own bodywork once the kit has been assembled, giving them the opportunity to be creative.
The Greenpower Education Trust aims to inspire young people around the world to excel in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) through a unique challenge – to design, build and race an electric car. UK based, the Charity has an outstanding track record in kick-starting careers in engineering, unlocking potential and sparking enthusiasm for STEM subjects through the excitement of motorsport.