- Schools marine challenge
Schools Marine Challenge
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Marine engineers of the future? Schools battle it out on the water in this year’s Schools Marine Challenge...
Students from schools from across the South East took part in this year’s Schools Marine Challenge Race Day last month with over 30 craft entered into the competition. Yet again, the standard of entries was outstanding with some really innovative entries that addressed the need for speed but which also took the environment into account with their engineering.
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South East school takes its designs to compete against the South West...
Southampton-based Applemore College travelled to Plymouth this year to compete against South West schools in the Schools Marine Challenge competition.
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Anchors away as local schools prepare for this year's Schools Marine Challenge...
MSE/2008/023
19 June 2008
As the finishing touches are being added to their entries, schools from across the South East are honing their skills as well as the craft in preparation for the hotly contested Schools Marine Challenge Race Day, which is being held on Tuesday 1st July at Southwater Water Sports Centre, near Horsham.
Local schools have spent the last few months designing and building boats in three categories: solar powered boats, electric powered boats, and bio-fuel engine boats.
The event, which is organised by Marine South East and the British Marine Federation, helps to show students the exciting challenges of working in marine engineering. They learn skills in design, project management, as well as engineering and building boats. It offers a tailor-made package for schools to build into their curriculum and schools have had the opportunity to work with local marine companies, who have been on hand to offer invaluable assistance, advice and experience.
Recently, the Schools Marine Challenge has been integrated into the BTEC Vocational 1st Diploma Engineering, Unit 10: using CAD Drawings. Many schools have welcomed the new engineering diploma and competitions which link with industry also help to drive skills development across the South East.
Schools Marine Challenge helps schools by bringing engineering skills to life with a mapped programme for staff.
Head of Engineering, Paul Beverley-Smith, at Quilley School of Engineering, said, “Quilley School of Engineering students have entered the competition for the last 3 years as part of the Applied GCSE course, it has really motivated students to achieve and been great fun.
“We are currently working in partnership with Eastleigh College in planning the delivery of the Engineering Diploma and are developing the Marine challenge project to fit the specification for individual units in both the higher and foundation courses. “
At Leigh Academy in Kent the whole class has made over 20 solar boats. Pupils have worked in pairs to race the solar boats at school. The construction of the solar boats, combined with the internal races, has been used as part of their fulfilment of the national curriculum. Schools Marine Challenge plays a pivotal role in linking schools, curriculum and the marine industry.
Steve Leahey, Head of Technology at Leigh Academy, is delighted with the progress students have made so far. He said; “By involving all the engineering students in year 9 we have been able to explore in detail both the theoretical and practical issues involved when designing a solar powered vehicle. The students have really enjoyed this project as it serves two purposes, firstly it enables them to complete units of work towards their Engineering Diploma and secondly it has given them the opportunity to see their design being put to the test both in school and against other schools.
“Next year I would like to expand this to the battery powered boats. We are also currently making our own hulls using GRP which again has given the students an opportunity to witness new techniques.”
Schools Marine Challenge would not be the success it is today without the ongoing support of the marine business community. Businesses can come along on race day to see how their company can make a difference and support the schools involved. Sponsorship opportunities are still available so please contact Sarah Dhanda sdhanda@britishmarine.co.uk or Deirdre Williams dwilliams@britishmarine.co.uk at the British Marine Federation.
Participating schools:
Bishop Luffa Church of England School, Chichester West Sussex
Dane Court Grammar School, Broadstairs Kent
Leigh CTC, Dartford Kent
Midhurst Intermediate School, Midhurst, West Sussex
Oaklands Community School, Southampton Hampshire
Quilley School of Engineering, Eastleigh Hampshire
Rainham School for Girls, Rainham Kent
Seaford College, Petworth West Sussex
Springfield Technology College, Portsmouth Hampshire
Carisbrooke High School, Newport Isle of Wight
St Andrew's C of E High School for Boys, Worthing West Sussex
Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, Bicester Oxfordshire
St Birinus School, Didcot Oxfordshire
Manhood Community College, Chichester West Sussex
Newstead School for Girls, Orpington Kent
Applemore College, Southampton
St Lawrence College, Kent
Isle of Wight College, IOW
ENDS
Notes to editor
1. Journalists are invited to come along to race day – please contact Helen Allies on 01326 218756 / 07946 589 472 in advance if you would like to attend on the day.
2. The following companies have all made financial contributions to this year’s competition: The British Marine Federation, Marine South East, BMF South, Hampshire Economic Partnership, Worshipful Company of Shipwrights and Learning and Skills Council South East.
3. Marine South East is the regional marine initiative of the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA) developed to address the needs of the marine sector in the South East region.
4. The British Marine Federation is the trade association for the UK leisure marine industry.
For further information please contact Helen Allies on 01326 218756 / 07946 589 472/ or email helen@cityandstone.co.uk .
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Southampton school looking for marine companies with a challenge ahead...
A year 9 class at Redbridge Community School in Southampton is looking for companies interested in working in partnership to look at some real-life problem solving scenarios that they could get their teeth into.
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Local school’s innovative yacht designs prove a hit with MPs...
Marine South East ‘School Marine Challenge’ winners, Newstead Wood School for Girls in Kent, revealed their marine engineering designs to MPs this week (Wednesday, 28th November) at a Learning Grid reception hosted by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
Newstead Wood was one of only six schools invited to attend the event to help raise the profile of the Learning Grid Quality Standard and activities that have achieved it.
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