Kart building students get motorsport inspiration

The chance to take part in a nationwide project to build and race a kart is giving students at The Radclyffe School an exciting introduction to the world of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

As part of STEM on Track, they visited the National STEM Learning Centre, part of the University of York, to discover all about the UK motorsport industry from some of the companies involved.

The students competed in a variety of trials, coming away with a prize in the pitstop challenge.

A small group pitched for sponsorship from the businesses present.

They also enjoyed sitting in the driving seat of a McLaren supercar.

The young people discovered an incredible breadth of roles in motorsport, from coding to software development, and telecommunications.

Back at school, the project extends over 30 weeks, with students tackling a different task each week.

Following online instructions, their first challenge was to attach axle bearings, followed by learning the workings brake calipers.

The kart is designed to be easily assembled and taken apart.

With great emphasis placed on encouraging girls’ involvement in STEM projects, the project has gained plenty of interest and involvement from girls – more than half of the students taking part.

Throughout the project the participants develop their problem-solving and teamwork skills.

The climax of the project in the summer will see the students racing their karts at the STEM Prix, a race day event in Northampton to showcase students’ achievement in STEM education and kart building.

Forty schools from across the country are involved in the programme.

Head of Design and Technology, Matt Brown, said: “The project is proving really popular, with 50 students chosen, and students in KS4 supporting the younger children.

"Working in two teams, the young people are getting to grips with all the working parts of their kart.”

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