STEM Project Formula 1 Challenge
Paul Eastwood’s enthusiasm for the ‘Formula One in Schools’ technology challenge has proved infectious for pupils at a Clitheroe school.
Paul, a senior manufacturing technology engineer at Clitheroe, has been a judge in the technology challenge’s national finals for the past three years and has seen first hand how it has benefited the pupils who have taken part.
As one of the site’s ambassadors for STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths), he thought it was a shame that no local school entered the competition. So he approached Ribblesdale School to encourage their interest.
The result is that the school has entered not one but two teams for the regional finals, being held in November – one from Year 9 and another from Year 10.
The challenge involves pupils not only in designing and building gas powered miniature racing cars from balsa wood but also in setting up marketing displays and presentations to gain sponsorship deals with local businesses to finance their entries.
“It’s a great all-round experience for them,” said Paul. “The challenge has been developed by the Formula One organisation to develop an informed view about careers in engineering, science, marketing and technology.
“The judging takes in a wide range of factors and it’s not just down to the fastest car being the winner on the day.
One of the first companies that the pupils turned to for sponsorship was 3M and the young marketing team were invited to make a formal pitch to site manager Shaun Morley. Shaun was so impressed with the presentation that they left with a pledge for £250.
Ribblesdale’s STEM co-ordinator, Mr Crashley, said the pupils were really enthusiastic about the challenge. “We’ve come into the competition quite late this year but the pupils will be building on the knowledge they gain this time to give themselves a good start for 2010.
“The skills they’re learning go across the curriculum of science, maths and design technology. It even takes in textile design, with t-shirts that they’ll be marketing to friends and family to raise more capital funding.”
The Great Exhibition: 10 Years of Technology Specialism
The doors were opened this week (Wednesday 1st of July and Thursday 2nd of July) to special guests in order to share in celebrating a decade of success in the technology specialism. In 1999, Ribblesdale was one of the first school to be so designated. In that time, we have come a long way. Special guests the Deputy Mayor of Ribble Valley and her consort, and Bob Stott, recently appointed Assistant Director for Universal Services in Lancashire local authority, were joined by many friends, parents, pupils, colleagues, community learning partners and sponsors. It was, without doubt and by popular acclamation, the most impressive collection of young people’s work and innovations ever assembled at the school. The fashion show, champagne reception and hospitality were of a commercial standards. Well done everyone for a memorable couple of days. See the gallery below for more.
The Great Exhibition Evening
In order to celebrate 10 years of Technology College status, Ribblesdale are proud to present The Great Exhibition.
The exhibition is an evening of celebration including showcases of the excellent work done by our staff and pupils, in part due to our designation as a specialist school for Technology. The evening will include work based on:
- CAD / CAM
- Fashion Design
- Resistant Materials
- Graphic Design
- ICT
- Catering and Hospitality
- Systems and Control
The exhibition takes place on Wednesday 1st of July 2009. You are invited to come along and enjoy the evening, which includes a buffet and various outsdanding exhibitions.
If you are interested in attending the evening, please book your place using this online form.
Guests are asked to arrive at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start.
The event takes place in the Drama complex at Ribblesdale School.
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