Children from a Helensburgh primary school worked with students from Glasgow Caledonian University to get a “hands-on” engineering experience.
Colgrain Primary School partnered with the university for a ‘goblin kit car’ project.
The project saw teams of pupils from different schools make and design the vehicle and then compete against each other in a race held on Wednesday, May 29 at Kames racetrack in East Ayrshire.
Over the course of nine months, the children participated in workshops hosted by engineering students from Glasgow Caledonian University and the Royal Navy, with support from carers and teachers.
(Image: Gary McHarg)
Colgrain Primary’s deputy head teacher, Linda Candlish, said: “Having the Glasgow Caledonian University students and Royal Navy come in and work with our pupils has aided their project-based learning and meta skills.
“[It has also] inspired the pupils to learn transferable skills and gain an interest in what they could go on to learn at university.
“One of the major perks of this project is inclusivity. There are not many projects where pupils can harness all of their skills.
“We have children with additional support needs, who are anxious about their learning, and this hands-on project has brought them right out of their shell.”
Following the race, Glasgow Caledonian’s campus hosted a finale on Thursday, May 30, featuring presentations, displays, and lab tours for all participating children.
Primary 7 pupil at Colgrain, Floraidh Walker, said: “I learned how the inside of a car works and how to put one together.
“I learned teamwork and it was really good fun. I would like to go to university to explore mechanics further.”
(Image: Gary McHarg)
In addition to helping the children to build goblin cars, Glasgow Caledonian game-design students developed a racing video game featuring the project car designs to further engage the schools and develop their interest in STEM.
Project lead Professor Patricia Munoz de Escalona from the university’s Mechanical Engineering Department was thrilled with the success of the collaboration.
She said: “The idea was to get children hands-on with the engineering of an electric car and open their eyes to STEM careers.
“They’ve learned about aerodynamics, composites, design, and car manufacturing along the way.
“This was a great opportunity for our own students too, to develop global skills collaborating across academia, industry, and the community.
“We’re grateful to the Royal Navy personnel who supported the workshops and events.
“By sparking children’s passion for STEM through fun, hands-on learning, Glasgow Caledonian aims to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators.”
More than 700 children aged 8-12 have now designed, built, and now raced their very own ‘goblin kit cars’ − a class of electric vehicles from the Greenpower Education Trust.
Each participating primary school received £3,000 in Royal Society grants to cover materials and transportation costs.
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