University revs up to empower primary schoolers in electric car engineering

Glasgow Caledonian University will impart the art of building racing cars to primary school children.

The ambitious venture, in collaboration with the Royal Navy, Royal Society, and nine primary schools, entails schoolchildren, assisted by teachers, parents, grandparents and carers, constructing electric goblin cars.

Goblin cars belong to a class created by the Greenpower Education Trust, a UK charity dedicated to inspiring young minds in STEM through the design, construction, and racing of electric cars. Tailored for ages 9-11, the goblin class allows schools to seamlessly integrate the project into their curriculum, featuring a kit car that can be reconstructed annually for Greenpower race day competitions.

Glasgow Caledonian academics and students will orchestrate workshops regarding the engineering aspects leading up to two pivotal events within this initiative, with game-design students also contributing their expertise, through support from academics Hamid Homatash and Alan Jack.

The inaugural event, a competition at Kames race track in East Ayrshire on May 29, will see the children racing the cars they have personally built. This competition can happen thanks to sponsorship by Mr Russel Fair from Kames Track and Mr Vernon Williamson from the Jim Clark Trust. Transportation of the cars will be provided by 43 Commando Royal Marines lorries based at HMNB Clyde.

Subsequently, on May 30, a concluding event at the University's Glasgow campus will take place, involving the transportation of cars by Royal Marines lorries. This event will include presentations, displays, and lab visits for 400 children aged 8-12, encompassing those with additional support needs.

Professor Patricia Munoz de Escalona of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, who is leading the project on behalf of Glasgow Caledonian, said: “The idea of the project is to involve children in the engineering aspects of a car and introduce them to the possibility of this as a future career. They will learn aspects of building a car, aerodynamics, composite materials, design and manufacturing of body moulds.

“As well as delivering workshops at the participating schools, our students will also develop a racing-car video game that will feature the goblin car and logos from the partnerships. This will help provide a link between all participating schools.

“Each participating primary school applied for a STEM partnership grant through the Royal Society. To do this they needed a STEM partner, which is the university. This project builds on the outcomes of the F24 project done in partnership with the Royal Navy STEM Engagement Team, which is addressed to high school students. We have forged strong relationships with the Royal Navy and, on this occasion, they will aid in building the car, transport and also assist with STEM workshops at all schools involved.

“This is also a great opportunity for our students to develop their global competences as they will need to interact with all stakeholders involved.

“Each school has received £3,000 and, with this money, they are able to buy the car kit, driver suits, helmets and transportation.”

The participating schools are:  Todholm; Brediland; Langcraigs; Our Lady of Peace; Fordbank; Wallace Primary; St Anthony’s; Bargarran; Colgrain Primary School.