Hovercraft Challenge

High flying pupils from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Newall Green took part in an Aerospace event which was delivered by the Widening Participation team in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at The University of Manchester.

The “Hovercraft Challenge” event was designed to encourage boys to go into Aerospace/ Engineering as a career. The boys from the Gifted and Talented group at Saint Paul’s were able to discuss the engineering career opportunities afforded by Higher Education as they worked in teams to build an operational hovercraft in a day.

The ‘Hovercraft Challenge’ provides an exciting, hands-on experience combining teambuilding and technical problem solving and is designed to inspire and encourage boys to consider a career in engineering. The students are challenged to design and make a working hovercraft, which will support the weight of one person as the hovercraft is moved across the floor.

“As the students built and tested their hovercraft, they were supported by ‘ambassadors’ from the University,” explained Science teacher Anita Keegan.  “These ambassadors assisted the students as well as being role models, the students were able to use the opportunity to ask questions about engineering and university life.”

Ms Keegan added “The ambassadors were able to speak to the pupils about also how they became interested in engineering and the benefits of Higher Education.”

One of the pupils said “I enjoyed the teamwork and making friends with new people. The people from the university were really interesting and helpful.”

“It was an excellent event which both the pupils and staff enjoyed,” commented Wiktor Daron, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s.  “It provided an insight into university life and the opportunities offered by a career in engineering, science and design.”