Pupils design hovercraft in science week project
An
University of Bradford product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Mar 16, 2006
School pupils design, build and race a fleet of hovercraft in project organised by Bradford University as part of a programme to get more pupils interested in science and engineering at university.
Around 160 school pupils from across north Bradford descended on Grange College of Technology to design, build and race a fleet of hovercraft during National Science Week (10th to 19th March 2006).
This project is being organised by the University of Bradford's School of Engineering, Design and Technology as part of a programme for schools to get more pupils interested in science and engineering subjects at university.
A number of former Grange pupils who now study engineering at the university will be helping out and encouraging the aspiring engineers on the day.
On Wednesday 15th March, Year 12 pupils from Grange, Belle Vue Boys and Belle Vue Girls, Hanson and Carlton Bolling schools designed, built and raced their hovercrafts in the main hall of Grange College of Technology.
The following day (Thursday 16th March), Year 10 students with mentors from Years 12 and 13 from Grange alongside students from Haycliffe Special School will be getting their hands dirty as they design, build and race their hovercrafts.
On both days, the students work in teams using foam board, plastic skirting and adhesive tape following instructions from the university's staff and students.
Former Grange pupil Mohammed Ibrahiem is on an industrial placement year from the University of Bradford where he is studying mechanical engineering.
He will help the school pupils build their hovercrafts and was looking forward to talking to them about his university life, course and career aspirations.
He said: "This project takes education out of the classroom and into a hands-on environment where the students can apply some of the team working and problem solving skills they have been taught".
"It introduces students to the real working scenario where they have to take responsibility of managing a task and are actively involved from start to finish".
Joanne Crowther, from the university's School of Engineering, Design and Technology, has helped co-ordinate the programme.
She said: "We are really looking forward to seeing some excellent hovercrafts and racing them at the end of the day".
"These hands-on events really help inspire pupils into realising the enjoyment and teamwork involved in science and engineering".
"We hope these experiences stay with them during their educational careers and beyond, and may inspire some of them to become engineers and scientists of the future".
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Google Ads
Contact University of Bradford
Related Stories
- Parker opens new store in Gillingham
- National Instruments - latest company news
- Our new lead generation service!
- Schaeffler - latest company news
- Leuze Electronic - latest company news
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,517)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,179)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (200)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (369)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (914)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (310)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (568)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,361)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (411)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,276)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (497)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,060)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,028)
- Plantwide control (1,324)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,174)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (806)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,459)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (703)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (440)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (500)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,222)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,160)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (555)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (679)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (420)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (798)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (369)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,963)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,215)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,093)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,598)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (939)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,441)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (418)
-
Capital Equipment (3,387)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (510)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,093)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (930)
-
Sensors (7,080)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (699)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (399)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (700)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (284)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (152)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,384)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,623)
