SETPoint Hampshire, in conjuction with Intech, the Science and Engineering Discovery Centre at Winchester, is sponsoring an electric kit-car contest for primary schools in the Portsmouth area this year. Wickham school has been lucky enough to obtain a kit. The school’s Technology Club, with help from their teacher, Mr. Proctor and an Intech advisor, have built the car and will be taking part in the “Race Day” event for all participating schools at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth, on March 8th.
The aim of this contest is to generate an interest in engineering in children at an early age. It is hoped that this will enable them to enjoy science and engineering as they progress through their education and that it may inspire some of them to choose a career in these fields, as engineering companies in the UK are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit suitable, young trainees.
The car, a GreenPower Goblin, has an aluminium space-frame chassis which can carry one person. It is powered by a 24volt electric motor and is capable of 15mph; a disc brake and full safety harness is fitted.
Building has progressed very satisfactorily, the car is now running and the children are learning to drive it; initially on reduced power and at half speed. The body work is the final job needed to complete the car.
Everyone connected with the project is looking forward to a successful day on March 8th and anyone wishing to see the car and the team will be able to do so at the Wickham Annual Parish assembly on April 23rd.
See the following website for additional information: Greenpower
Mike Bennett
The Wickham Rocket and 26 other teams arrived at the Mountbatten Centre at nine o’clock on Saturday, 8th March 2008 with their fantastic electric cars. Lots of people were nervous about their first race.
After a safety briefing the cars were checked. Danielle was first to race in the fifth heat, so she had plenty of time to prepare. Katie was Danielle’s partner so she had to prepare Danielle by checking her seatbelt, helmet, gloves and goggles.
Danielle was ready to go!
3, 2, 1, GO! The race had begun. Katie pushed Danielle and she was off. Danielle flew quickly off the line into 1st place but, unfortunately, fell back to 4th place. Another car from behind overtook Danielle and they battled together for the rest of the race! But Wickham’s car (The Wickham Rocket) just wasn’t fast enough to stay ahead. Danielle had tried her best, it was just good enough to come in 5th place and earn her team 5 valuable points! Everybody congratulated Danielle and cheered!
Next it was Katie’s go. She was very nervous. She said, “I’m scared”. Katie was off in lane 1, which gave her a big advantage. She was unfortunate as, compared to the other cars, the Wickham Rocket was much slower. Mr Proctor (class teacher) and the team’s parents all helped to find the problem which turned out to be the brakes! The team worked together to fix the electric car just before the next race which Natasha took part in. The Wickham Rocket behaved itself in the next race and Natasha came 5th.
Now it was Kieran’s go. He couldn’t wait to see if he would come 5th like Natasha. He’d soon find out. 3, 2, 1, GO! He raced around the track overtaking cars one by one, and he managed to hold 4th until the bitter end. Everyone cheered!!!!
Next it was Katharine’s go. Kieran pushed her. She was very nervous. She said, “I hope I’m going to win.” The race started and she sprinted off to a good start. After battling around the track she finished an excellent 4th place.
Having had some technical problems earlier it was decided that Katie would drive the last heat. The brakes had been fixed and hopes were high. She started well and was in third place half way down the first straight. By the first corner she was second and fighting for the lead. The next laps were very exciting; she managed to keep the smallest of leads up to the last bend. Car 11 was catching fast. She crossed the line a fraction ahead of car 11. Katie was very proud of her achievement. Later the organisers realised that car 11 was the winner of the whole competition and that Wickham was the only team to beat them all day!
All in all everyone had a great day. The racing had been fantastic and a lot was learnt ready for competing again next year.
The team would like to thank all the businesses that have made this possible. Tull’s Butchers, Oma’s Bakery, Warwick’s, Taylor Garnier and John Byrne from Wickham have all sponsored the car. The team are particularly grateful to BAE Systems and HMS Collingwood Senior Ratings and Warrant Officers Mess who both donated £250 to purchase the car. In addition, Claire Williamson and several other staff from BAE Systems kindly supported the team on the day. Finally, a huge debt of thanks goes to Mike Bennett, a volunteer at INTECH and a local Parish Councillor, who organised the whole project and led the team through the tricky process of building the car.
by Katie, Katherine, Danielle, Kieran and Natasha
