We have received this feedback from Cullompton Community College in Devon, who had a great day with Bloodhound team member Dan Johns ...

The Design and Technology Department at Cullompton Community College annually run a deep learning day. Students are taken off their normal timetable  to work in teams on a problem solving challenge.

This year we decided to go one stage further and also cover a number of tasks identified in our development plan. These included:

• Developing  better links with some of our local feeder schools.
• Ease transition from primary to secondary.
• Cater for some the needs of our gifted and talented students.
• Relate what we do to real life situations and harness STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

We chose to build on from the work of the Big Boom. A day organised by one of the local primary schools to relate STEM subjects to the Bloodhound Challenge.

The Challenge

100 gifted and talented students from years 5 to 9, were put into teams of 5 and challenged to design and make a rocket powered car to travel at speed along the full length of the hall in as straight a line as possible.

Staff from Science, Technology and Maths were all involved along with primary teachers from Culmstock, Willand  and The Duchy (in Bradninch).

Dan Johns who is part of The Bloodhound Team started the day with a fantastic presentation backed up with photos and videos showing how the real Bloodhound project is progressing.

Teams were judged under the headings of teamwork, quality of manufacture, accuracy and a presentation.  Dan also offered to have the names of the winning team printed on the actual Bloodhound car which gave the students extra incentive along with cash prizes offered by Labdons Building Supplies (a local company).

The winning team consisted of:
Liam Davis, Lewis Selley, Jamie Lee Catlin, Emma Newbould, Laura Hector and Jordan Frow.

I was very impressed  with the excellent teamwork skills  and enthusiasm  shown all day and am extremely grateful to all who took part  in making the day such good fun. Developing confidence in problem solving and teamwork are such important life skills.

Cullompton_5We are now looking to develop the activity further and run it again next year.

Mr. Jonathan Dovell.
Head of Design and Technology