8:22am Tuesday 24th November 2009
YOUNG scientists have reached the final of a prestigious technology challenge — after designing and building their own car.
Hannah Ward, Zoe Irwin, Emma Banerjee and Stephanie Thompson, all pupils at Westhoughton High School, are the North West champions in the 2009 F1 schools technology challenge, held at Jaguar Land Rover, Merseyside.
The four, also known as Team Wipeout, created their prize-winning vehicle using special computer programmes.
The seven inch-long car is made out of balsa wood and powered by a compressed air canister.
It was raced over a 20-metre track against cars built by other teams from across the region.
Team Wipeout’s came top and their car was the fastest, at 1.137 seconds.
They will now compete in the national finals at the Autosport International Show in January.
The winners of that competition will gain a place at the international championships, which will be held at a Grand Prix venue.
Hannah, aged 16, who is the team manager, said: “We’d entered the competition last year but didn’t do very well. It was really good to see how we have improved.
“We worked on the car every week and did lots of research on how to make the car the best it could be. This has made all that hard work worthwhile.
“We are really proud to have represented the school. It has put Westhoughton High on the map.”
Teacher Kevin Gornall oversaw the project.
He said: “They are all very gifted students. It is a very demanding competition and they had to reach a very high level.
“Everyone at the school is delighted by their success. There has been a real buzz around the school since they won.”
Hannah and her fellow students, who are aged 15, are now preparing their car for the next stage of the contest and are hoping to improve the speed of their car further.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the team can contact Mr Gornall at Westhoughton High School on 01942 814 122.
lucy.ewing@ theboltonnews.co.uk
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