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  Schools Marine Challenge


arrowCase Study
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Regions 2009:
South East and West, London,
East of England


 Key Stage 3 & 4
  • 600 students from 60 schools attended Schools Marine Challenge in 2007/08
  • Schools Marine Challenge started in 2004
    Group SizeTeams of between 7 and 15 students
    Activity Type
    CostFree to enter
    Emailsend email
    Websiteview website
     

    The UK’s world-class marine engineering and manufacturing sector is the focus of The Schools Marine Challenge.

    School teams link with a local technology-based companies to design, build and race remote control boats in three environmentally friendly fuel categories; solar, methanol bio-fuel and electric.

    The Challenge encourages schools to foster links with industry. Not only does this process help students understand how they can contribute to a world leading industry, it also gives industry leaders the opportunity to discover more about their potential workforce and gain valuable insight about the modern curriculum that can be delivered via the Schools Marine Challenge.

    Advice on curriculum inclusion, construction and choice of materials is available online with specialist support by e-mail or through school visits.

    Teams are judged according to four criteria:

    1. Design of Hull and Superstructure
    2. Design of Power Systems
    3. Team Work
    4. Race Day Trials

    This innovative scheme is designed by teachers and industry partners as a great context for the delivery of engineering as an extracurricular activity or as part of the following technology based qualifications: Vocational GCSEs in Manufacturing and Engineering, GCSEs in Systems Control, Electronics and Resistant Materials, NVQ in Performing Engineering Operations at levels 1 and 2, The Engineering Diploma.

    The climax of Schools Marine Challenge is Race Day, an exciting event where all the schools involved, together with representatives from the Marine Industry come together to see the teams’ efforts. Judges from the industry assess the design of the craft and how the team has worked together. This is followed by the all-important dynamic competition events of Solar craft trials and Powerboat racing. Race Day closes with the Awards Ceremony. Trophies and prizes are awarded to the category winners, and the Schools Marine Challenge Trophy is awarded to the Overall Winner – the team who have accrued the most points from all rounds.

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