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Eco-Marathon adds schools initiative

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jun 30, 2005

The Shell Eco-Marathon UK has launched a new schools initiative supported by the Learning Grid, The Royal Academy of Engineering and Honda (UK).

The Shell Eco-Marathon UK has launched a new schools initiative supported by the Learning Grid, The Royal Academy of Engineering and Honda (UK).

The programme is specifically designed to encourage secondary schools throughout the UK to include engineering in the delivery of the school curriculum.

Schools from across Britain will get the opportunity to take part in this year's new initiative - with emphasis placed on pupils between 11 and 14 years.

Their challenge will be to design, build and compete with their own car in the Shell Eco-Marathon UK.

Schools will be encouraged to enter the initiative, and 20 will subsequently be chosen to benefit from a free Shell Eco-Marathon starter pack to help them get the project under way.

The pack will include a four-stroke GX31 engine supplied by Honda (UK), a design and build manual and an introduction to a locally based engineering company who will assist and mentor the project.

In line with The Royal Academy of Engineering's "Best Programme" and its work to widen participation in engineering within education, ten of the schools will be selected because they do not have an engineering background.

The other ten will be chosen from schools which have expressed previous interest in the event.

Winning schools will be selected by a panel from Shell, Honda (UK), the Learning Grid and The Royal Academy of Engineering.

Professor Matthew Harrison, Director of The Royal Academy of Engineering Best Programme voiced his support: "The Shell Eco-Marathon's Schools Initiative will encourage UK secondary schools to enter the competition, highlighting the wide range of career opportunities in engineering".

"It will demonstrate that engineering can be fun and can make a difference to the world we live in by producing cars with world beating fuel economy".

"I'm sure the initiative will spark an interest in engineering for creative young people who will get the rare opportunity to conceive, design, build and operate their own 21st century vehicle".

Explaining Honda (UK)'s involvement in the programme Iain Radcliffe, Marketing Communications Manager of the Power Equipment Division, said: "The engine is the most important component of any vehicle and we're delighted to be providing 20 GX31 engines to schools competing in the 2006 Shell Eco-Marathon UK".

"As the world's largest engine manufacturer, Honda has an unrivalled moral obligation to the environment and a vested interest in engineering excellence".

"We are delighted to be involved with the next generation of automotive engineers".

Bob Gilbert, Chairman of Motorsport Development UK, the organisation behind the Learning Grid said: "Motorsport has always played an important role in developing and proving new technology".

"But companies such as Honda and Shell, with deep roots in motorsport, know that it's the development of their people that is the greater benefit".

"Motorsport offers wonderful opportunities and has a valuable role to play in attracting young people to an engineering career".

"I am delighted to be supporting this new initiative through our Learning Grid programme and look forward to the Shell Eco-Marathon taking its place as a full member of the Learning Grid in 2006".

He added: "The focus of the competition is improved energy efficiency, which is an investment focused firmly on the future and on sustainable energy resources".

"There could be no better demonstration of the Learning Grid vision, 'Engineering the future'".

"These students will be building the cars of tomorrow".

The Shell Eco-Marathon UK Schools Initiative will be officially launched at the Shell Eco-Marathon UK, Rockingham Motor Racing Circuit near Corby, on Wednesday 6th July 2005.

The final list of schools selected for the Schools Initiative will be announced in September 2005, with the cars competing at the 2006 Shell Eco-Marathon UK, scheduled for 12th and 13th July 2006, at Rockingham.