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Schools Marine Challenge
An exciting engineering challenge focused on Students
at Key Stage 3 and 4.
Developing skills in:
Engineering
Power train and hull Design
Bodywork and Aerodynamics
Composites
Electronics
Team working
Driving
What is the Schools Marine Challenge?
School teams link with a technology based company to
design, build and race boats in three classes:
1. Powered by solar energy -Maximum LOA 450 mm
2. Powered by a petrol engine - Maximum LOA 850 mm
3. Powered by a battery driven engine - Maximum LOA
850 mm
Schools engineer their final solutions to score points
in the following categories:
- Hull and Superstructure
- Power-train
- Teamwork
- Race day trial
This innovative scheme introduces pupils at an impressionable
age to the world of Marine
Engineering. It dispels the myths surrounding the industry
and lets young people experience at first hand, many aspects of teamworking
in this environment.
Using the ‘shop window’ of Powerboat Racing as a context,
participants work to a competition deadline.
Why
take Part?
The United Kingdom's specialist Marine Engineering
Industry is world class. Perspectives of this industry from parents
and career guidance are often not up to date, and based on myths and
mis-information. Few young people are enthused by engineering at secondary
school. The long-term solution lies in stimulating talented young
minds to choose technological education and career pathways.
What will I get out of it?
The Marine Challenge provides hardware and a context
with supporting infrastructure to offer and deliver engineering as
an extra-curricular activity or within a discrete subject.
The scheme provides materials and specialist support
for curriculum delivery of: GNVQ Engineering, Vocational GCSEs, GCSEs
in 
Systems
Control, Electronics and Resistant Materials.
Some of the activities supported by the scheme include:
Composites materials Technologies and manufacturing
Electro Mechanical Engineering projects
Data capture from school engineered Dynamometers
Construction of communication and marketing systems
such as team Web Sites
All this adds up to young people experiencing the application of scientific/technical
skills and knowledge not available in mainstream education.