12 - 21 March 2010 - Students get Motorvated at Rockingham for National Science Week
EUROPE’S fastest racing circuit will provide the inspirational setting for more than 200 school children as they swap their classroom for one of the UK’s leading motorsport venues to mark National Science Week.
Rockingham has teamed-up with local secondary school, Lodge Park Technology College in Corby, to promote the core Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects this Friday (March 12).
Students from Lodge Park will be joined by youngsters from three other schools in the town, at the Motorvation Festival, which will look at how the technical subjects are closely linked with the arts and literacy and show how technology is used in motorsport and every day life.
The one-day event will be based around a number of hands-on interactive activities including a pedal powered Scalextric track plus a giant motor racing themed board game with life-size model sit-on cars.
The students will have the chance to race around a virtual Rockingham track in one of the circuit’s state-of-the-art simulators as well as learn how cutting edge technology has helped improve road safety with the introduction of seat belts and safety cameras.
Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service will also be demonstrating the cutting equipment it uses at the scene of road traffic collisions to help release people trapped in their vehicles after an accident.
Lunar Racing, which is a non-profit making motorsport team based at Rockingham working with 14 to 18 years olds, will give an insight into their training programme which provides vital experience and valuable qualifications for those who prefer a more hands-on career route.
Rockingham Director Charlotte Orton, said: “Education is a priority at Rockingham and we are delighted to be working with Lodge Park Technology College on such an exciting and fun event.
“The Motorvation Festival will provide an exciting hands-on learning experience for children, while at the same time raise awareness of the importance of the STEM subjects and break some of the myths surrounding science and technology.
“National Science Week is a great opportunity to demonstrate just how much fun learning about science can be, and by gaining qualifications in one, if not all, the STEM subjects, what exciting careers that can open up.”
To help youngsters gain inspiration for the Motorvation Festival, a Rockingham Single-Seater racing car was based at Lodge Park in the build up to the event to assist students designing and making their own model cars to race on the day.
Project Manager & Technology teacher at Lodge Park, Peter Smith, added: “This festival is the first phase of the Motorvation Project, giving students, parents and industry partners a rare and valuable insight into the career paths which revolve around technical design and manufacture.
“Northamptonshire is renowned worldwide for its success in leading the way in motorsport development, and with a flagship racing circuit like Rockingham on our doorstep we have an ideal opportunity to use this as a platform for further development.
“Most people are familiar with what is accepted as the conventional route to success through education, progressing from GCSE to A Levels and on to university. However, many students prefer to learn in an applied environment, where their work is directly related to the product or process.
“By working in partnership with Rockingham we believe we can offer exciting experiences and opportunities and give students a better understanding of how science and technology makes things happen all around us every day.”
The Motorvation Festival will be held in the Welcome Centre at Rockingham from 9am with activities taking place throughout the event until 2.30pm.
For further information please visit the rockingham website
