Coachmakers help students develop the next Mars Rover at the Brooklands Innovation Day

The Coachmakers once again supported the Brooklands Innovation Academy on Wednesday 1st October, running a workshop, and a stand at the evening careers fair.

The Academy brings together more than 500 students from Surrey schools to attend workshops from 23 organisations in the world of engineering, from British Airways to McLaren Automotive. The Brooklands Innovation Academy is part of the National Science Summer School founded by Lord Andrew Mawson OBE and Professor Brian Cox, who also spoke at the event.

During the day a team of six Coachmakers; Freeman Ellie Bacon, Liverymen Nick Lyford, Roger Woodbridge, Andrew Blatherwick, Eric Wallbank and The Master Richard Charlesworth, ran a Mars Rover workshop for seven groups of 12 children from schools across Surrey.

The photographs show the Marscape created to test the vehicles over rough terrain, a “Valley of Doom” and a sharp slope. The children from each school were split into two groups of six and challenged to modify a model provided to them which did not navigate the course. The exercise was created to challenge the teamwork, design ideas and engineering ability of the groups as well as having fun and getting excited about a future in engineering. By using a second electric motor to provide four-wheel drive and larger wheels, the model delivered improved ground clearance and traction. Most groups achieved a level of success with a couple of the groups quickly succeeding in traversing the “Mars terrain” course with their modified vehicles.

The level of excitement, fun and skill of the pupils was great to see. Three individuals were selected from the groups to be awarded a certificate at the end of the day for their outstanding skill and teamwork during the session. Watch a short video here.

The Coachmakers’ team also ran a stand at an evening careers fair for slightly older pupils who are considering A Level subjects, providing advice on potential careers and ways into an engineering career. During the day and evening we interacted with more than 100 young people, many of whom will hopefully progress into STEM studies and a career in engineering.

This year we were delighted and very grateful to be joined by The Master Richard Charlesworth MVO who participated in the workshops, careers fair and joined a party of VIP guests at Brooklands. This type of interaction with Brooklands helps improve our relationship with one of the premier museums in the country, and maintains our close links to the Brooklands Innovation Academy, an important part of the National Science Summer School programme. We continue to develop our relationship with Brooklands, where we have a Coachmakers’ room, we have fostered a STEM project with Brooklands and Kingston University, and are working on new projects.