A Welsh scientist yesterday gave an insight into plans to build a 1,000mph car.
Dr Ben Evans, of Swansea Metropolitan University is designing the car in Wales for the record attempt and yesterday outlined the project to over 400 young pupils from South Wales
schools in the finals of this year's Engineering Education
Scheme Wales competition.
The
event at Celtic Manor hotel, Newport was the culmination of over six months
work by students in 34 schools working with local companies on a range of
projects designed to give practical solutions to engineering challenges.
EESW
director Austin Matthews said it was the most successful event in its 20 years
history, adding, "There have been more schools, more students, more companies
and the widest ever range of problems they have tackled. It is going to be
tough to beat this level of entries next year."
For
the 21st running of the event in 2010, he wants to see even more
students taking part if the teaching tutors are allowed the time by their
schools and supported by additional funding by the Welsh Assembly Government.
He
said the judges had been impressed by the projects, their presentation by
students and their surprisingly wide range of challenges, notably the green
technology engineering.
Next
year, the EESW hopes it will attract mentor companies in the wind energy and
tidal energy fields of engineering which are becoming increasingly important.
Opening
the convention, Sir Anthony Cleaver, chairman of the Engineering Technology Board,
said no visitor could fail to be impressed by the standard of exhibits and the
knowledge displayed by the students.
"Engineering is vital because it facilitates
so many industries upon which the Welsh economy relies, "he said. " It is also
vital to have young people coming through schools, colleges and universities to
keep the knowledge flowing and the skills at the highest level in the global
marketplace."
Swansea
born Dr Evans, who is leading research in Wales into the aerodynamics of
the intended 1,000 mph Bloodhound Supersonic Car said told the convention that
his interest in engineering started in the EESW competition he entered with Gowerton
school a decade ago.
"Bloodhound
SSC is a project designed to stimulate interest in engineering and science,
particularly among students, and we hope it builds on this as it is developed
this year and next," he said.
He
joined Bloodhound SSC two years ago and has led the team working on the shape
of the car which will be powered by jet and rocket engines when it attempts to
pass 1,000 mph next year.
Winners
of the EESW finals were:
Best
innovative or adapted design, Bassaleg School
Best
appreciation of environmental issues, Morriston school
Project
with greatest commercial potential, St Josephs RC
Most
effective presentation of solution, Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr
Best
application of information technology, Haberdasher's Monmouth
Best
working model, Porthcawl Comprehensive
Best
overall team performance, Fitzalan High School 2
Best
engineering design, Caerleon Comprehensive
Most
effective use of materials, Tasker Milward Comprehensive
Greatest
appreciation of safety, St Davids Catholic College
Greatest
innovative solution to project, Treorchy Comprehensive 2
Looking good: Schaeffler
UK backed Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr, of Gowerton, won the prize for their project
presentation skills helped by company team leaders Andrew John and Paul
Williams (above).
.gif){kind=small}
