BRIGHT young sparks are gearing up to design, build and race their very own electric super car.
Students at South Shields School are being tasked to take pole position in the Greenpower Challenge with an education trust bursary from Siemens Technology.
The initiative, aimed at students aged 11-14, uses motorsport to encourage young people to take up science, technology and engineering careers.
Students will build their own electric car during technology classes and afterschool enrichment lessons, before taking to the track to race their vehicles against others from across the country.
Director of school improvement creative Dave Rae said: “This is the first time that South Shields School has taken part in The Greenpower Challenge.
“We took 15 of our Year 7 students, eight boys and seven girls, to the launch at Siemens Technology, Newcastle, where they not only saw a completed race car up close but also got the chance to meet with experienced engineers and designers and find more out career opportunities available within the company.”
The school has already bought a kit car and will receive a further £500 equipment grant for tools, helmets, materials and transport, as well as a £500 grant for travel and accommodation if they qualify to take part in the final race event which will take place in October.
The group will also have a local Siemens representative on hand to give them advice and support as they build their car.
“The challenge will be a fantastic opportunity for our students to find out how cars are designed and built, learn about sponsorship and marketing, look at helmet and suit design and meet new people from all over the country on a national stage,” added Mr Rae.
“It is a massive project with so many aspects and one that will hopefully dispel many of the myths about engineering and raise aspirations among all our students, especially the girls, to pursue a career within the industry in the future.”