QinetiQ inspires the naval architects of the future at the Schools’ Powerboat Challenge
On Friday 24th May teams from eight local schools and one sea cadet group came together for QinetiQ’s annual Schools’ Power Boat Challenge at its state-of-the-art facilities in Gosport, Hampshire.
The event, now in its 11th year, is the conclusion of a competition that tasks participating teams to design, build and race a remote control powerboat. Each team of up to five people is provided with a propulsion kit and a designated QinetiQ STEM ambassador, who assists the team to produce their very own design. The resultant designs were thoroughly put through their paces last week in a series of races around a course in QinetiQ’s Ocean Basin, one of the largest testing tanks in the world.
Ethan Angel and Oliver Rogers from The Hamble School with their boat The Iceberg
The challenge is an opportunity for young people aged between 11 and 16 years to have insight into the issues that naval architects and engineers face when designing, building and testing vessels of all shapes and sizes. John Bayliss, Integrated Delivery Team Leader at QinetiQ commented: “This event is something we are hugely proud of doing. It is about recognising that if we don’t reach out to this sort of age of school kids in STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Maths) subjects in particular then we are not going to have a workforce in the future.”
Competitors making last minute design and build adjustments
From a schools’ point of view the competition gives teachers a chance to engage pupils in STEM subjects in a different and tangible way, away from the classroom. Engineering teacher, Jane Morris, from Budmouth College who runs the girls engineering club said: “There are only so many competitions you can do in the classroom and it is good that you have got something they can get involved with outside. From a science and engineering angle they can learn so much more about motors and boat design and I think it brings it all together into something that is real world rather than a made up situation.”
During the day the competitors were visited by representatives of professional bodies IMarEST and the Royal Institute of Naval Architects and at lunchtime received a demonstration of the Ocean Basin’s wave maker and a talk by Plastic Oceans. The Royal Navy was also present to support the event and to promote STEM and how it relates to what it does.
The Royal Navy attended to support the event and to promote STEM
The standard of competition was high. “I am always pleasantly surprised by the quality of the entries we receive as well as the enthusiasm and engagement of the team members. It makes judging quite difficult,” stated Dave Hart, judge and principal naval architect at QinetiQ. The entries are judged on more than just being the winner of the race final. Scores are also awarded for design process, understanding of engineering principals, innovation, build quality and sustainability of materials.
Judges were shown models and then discussed them with the competitors
Not every design worked as well as intended with more than one powerboat needing to be rescued from the bottom of the five metre deep pool by a special remote operated vehicle (ROV), but the day was enjoyed by all who took part. “I find boats really fascinating,” said 12 year old Emma Gibbs-Jefferson from Budmouth College. “My favourite part was watching other people crash the boats.”
The Schools’ Powerboat Challenge is more than just a competition. “It has grown over the years. It was quite QinetiQ focused as we got going and then we realised we could use this to do multiple things,” explained Mr Bayliss. “We have a great relationship with the Royal Navy and also pull in people from the professional institutes to gives these young people the biggest broadest view of ‘this is what you could be doing’. We know that from staying in touch with the teachers that some people have gone on and done naval architectural degrees.”
The winners of the 2019 School’s Powerboat Challenge:
Race Winners
1st Budmouth College
2nd Chamberlayne College for the Arts
3rd Carisbrooke College
Award Winners
Design Board Award – Highcliffe School
Best Design Award – Carisbrooke College
Innovation Award – Chamberlayne College for the Arts
Sustainability Award – Portsmouth Academy
This story is by Susannah Hart at Marine Industry News.
