College Hosts Bloodhound Supersonic Car
The 1000mph Bloodhound Supersonic Car - the centrepiece for a global education initiative – came to the College recently as part of an innovative new programme to inspire the County’s budding Mathematicians, Scientists and Engineers.
Bloodhound SSC, designed and built in Britain, is powered by a Rolls Royce Eurofighter jet engine and hybrid rocket, and has a control system developed by local high technology company, Cosworth. The car is designed to travel at speeds of up to Mach 1.4 or 1,050 mph – faster than a bullet - and will attempt to break the world land speed record on the Hakskeen Pan, South Africa in 2013.
A life-size replica of the Bloodhound car along with its V8 Cosworth F1 engine, which drives the rocket fuel pump, was based in our brand new engineering studios at Booth Lane from the 21st to the 23rd February. Members of the public, local businesses and hundreds of school children from across the county were among those who came to see the car. As well as finding out about how it works, they were also able to take part in a variety of interactive activities, including a Bloodhound SSC driving simulation. The College also showcased its fantastic engineering facilities alongside several industry partners such as Cosworth.
The exhibition marks the launch of a new County-wide initiative spearheaded by Northamptonshire County Council and supported by Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership, set up to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (known as the ‘STEM’ subjects) to young people in Northamptonshire. This work is set to support existing business clusters in Motorsport and High Performance Technologies within Northamptonshire, ensuring that the skills needed in these industries are secured for the future. Over the summer term, the Bloodhound team will be visiting 100 schools and 15,000 students across the County to give them first-hand practical demonstrations and exercises.
Len Closs, Principal, Northampton College said, ‘As a global education initiative, the Bloodhound SSC project helps us fulfil the College’s ambition to convey the excitement of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects and the stunning careers to which they can lead.
‘Our new state-of-the-art engineering studios at Booth Lane offered the perfect space to showcase the extraordinary Bloodhound exhibition and stage various activities for people to experience during the event. We were delighted to welcome key partner organisations including Northampton-based Cosworth whose incredible engine was also on display at the exhibition.
The entire event and the subsequent school programme will undoubtedly prove highly inspirational and we are extremely privileged to have been involved with the project.
Northamptonshire County Council Leader, Jim Harker, said, ‘Educationally, the Bloodhound project is a fantastic opportunity for schools and the County’s learners to broaden hands-on science and technology learning and challenge the curriculum.
‘We’ve arranged for the Bloodhound team to work with our schools as a way of engaging students with science, technology and mathematics in a realistic context and so encourage them to consider studying a related course and pursuing a career in those fields.
‘By showcasing how science and maths can be applied to such a real-life exciting scenario, we hope to enthuse students at an early enough stage to inspire them to become the next generation of young scientists, engineers, technicians and mathematicians.
‘I’m particularly pleased with the involvement of Cosworth because we know that local business has a key role to play in producing a qualified and skilled workforce by engaging with schools and offering meaningful learning opportunities.
‘Alongside the creation of two University Technical Colleges for the County, the Bloodhound project is a tangible example of how the council is working with partners to address the current and future skills needs of the County. Our drive to boost economic growth and prosperity throughout Northamptonshire influences so much of our work and is so vital in creating a strong, vibrant and economically successful Northamptonshire which is an excellent place to live and work.’
Richard Noble, Bloodhound SSC Project Director said, ‘This event kicks off the first of its kind, a month long Bloodhound engagement programme with 100 schools and colleges across Northamptonshire. Students will learn about the science, technology, engineering and mathematical challenges behind designing, building and racing a 1,000 mph car.’
Richard Noble
Project Director, Bloodhound SSC