STEMNET Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network

From the 28th - 31st August, West Hill High School held a Summer School event for their Year 7 intake. The 4 day event was based around the Bloodhound SSC rocket car (an international education initiative focused around a 1,000 mph world land speed record attempt).

The event engaged 17 pupils who explored the science behind the car, its design and the advertising/marketing involved in the car's promotion. Pupils were challenged to design and develop their own 'rocket powered cars', which were launched on the final day of the event and judged for the best vehicle design.

STEM Ambassadors Neil Runciman and John Welford visited the school on the final day of the event and each delivered a presentation to the students, relating their knowledge and expertise to the Bloodhound SSC. The STEM Ambassadors provided the pupils with the opportunity to get their hands on a few component parts of a turbocharger and to get to grips with programme and project management.

STEM Ambassador John Welford explained "The teachers did a great job of organising the day, especially the rocket firings. This left myself and Neil free to chat the students and their parents about Bloodhound, their rocket cars and STEM in general"

Science Teacher, Paul Evans at West Hill High School commented on the success of this event "Pupils were able to carry out experimental work on fuels and aerodynamics. They successfully designed, built and launched rocket cars and made significant progress in improving their literacy skills.Parents and pupils alike enjoyed the launching of the cars with many parents commented on how much their sons had enjoyed the weeks programme".