Bloodhound Ambassadors Roger Hoyle and Robin Hines recently visited Cove School in Farnborough for a day of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). We have received this report from teacher Mr Wildsmith:
YEAR 10 AND 11 TRIPLE SCIENCE STUDENTS AIM TO BREAK 1000MPH!
Cove School’s Science Department collaborated with Bloodhound SSC for a day of inspirational talks and activities that incorporated aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Bloodhound SSC is a SuperSonic Car, designed to go faster than the speed of sound.
Powered by a rocket and a jet engine from a Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, Bloodhound SSC has been designed to go at 1,000 mph (just over 1,600 kph). It weighs over 7 tonnes and the engines produce more than 135,000 horsepower - more than 6 times the power of all the Formula 1 cars on a starting grid put together!
Robin Hines and Roger Hoyle, both STEM Ambassadors from the Bloodhound SSC project delivered an inspirational talk to the Year 10 and Year 11 Triple Science students. They showed them how scientists from all over the UK are using their skills to not only develop the car, but develop a new generation of technology for use by the public in the future. As the car is still under construction, they were unable to bring it, but did manage to bring a 1:10 scale model of the car (worth £5000!)
After the talk in the morning, students worked as small teams to make compressed air powered vehicles, the winner being the one that could travel the furthest. In Year 11, this was won by Tilly and Kira. In Year 10, it was won by Lara, Lauren, Chris, Jack and Berkay.
In the afternoon, the Year 11 students had an ‘Apprentice’ themed event. In teams of eight, they had to take on the roles of the Bloodhound SSC project team. Subdivided into pairs, they had to interview three pilots, determine the most appropriate site for the World Record Attempt to take place, test the Physics of the different ground surfaces at these sites and negotiate with CEO’s of large companies for investment.
The team that managed to present the most cost-effective project comprised Callum, Ryan, Fraser, Toby, Kelsey, Amber, Ian and Andre, pictured above with Roger (left) and Robin (right).
Bloodhound SSC have also awarded two prizes for the students who made the most impressive contribution to the day. Sony and Toby are to have their names added to the side of the Bloodhound SSC, so that when the car travels at 1000MPH next year, their names will be too.
Sony has been inspired so much by the day’s events that she has changed her college application so that she can study Physics.
