Weather didn’t dampen spirits at this year’s Schools Marine Challenge
Schools from across the South East took part in this year’s Schools Marine Challenge on 3rd July, bracing themselves against thunder, lightening and torrential downpours. But their spirits weren’t dampened as they competed to win prizes for themselves and their schools.
Organised by the British Marine Federation and Marine South East, the aim of the challenge is to introduce school children to the world of marine engineering. Marine companies across the south east link up with local schools to give the pupils an insight into the world of boat building.
Having spent the last few months designing and building solar powered, electric powered and bio fuel powered boats, the pupils came together at Southwater Watersports Centre near Horsham to race against fellow pupils.
Winners included an overall prize for Kent-based Dane Court School, innovation award for West Sussex-based Midhurst Intermediate School and the teamwork prize went to Newstead School for Girls, based in Kent. Southampton's Applemore College won in the Solar category.
Paul Dean, Head of Design and Technology and Dane Court School was delighted with his pupils' performance: "This is the second year we have taken part and it is proving to be a fantastic way to get kids interested in engineering and the marine sector. They have been working on their boats and designs since October, with the pace of activity really heating up in the last few weeks.
"We had some ups and downs with our designs, but the teamwork on the day was exceptional, I was really impressed with how the kids worked together. We would now like to link up with other local schools taking part and share each other's expertise."
Graham, Clarke, Chairman of the Hampshire Economic Partnership's Marine Policy Group and one of the judges on the day commented: "Four Hampshire schools entered this year's challenge and acquitted themselves well. It is clear that the message is spreading and competitor standards are definitely higher this year. HEP's contribution to staging the event has again achieved the aim of getting young people engaged with the marine sector, with a number of companies being linked with entrants' projects."
Participating schools:
Rainham School for Girls Gillingham, Kent
Newstead Woods School for Girls Kent
Dane Court Grammar School Kent
The Westgate School Hampshire
Quilley School of Engineering Hampshire
Midhurst Intermediate School West Sussex
Seaford College West Sussex
Bishop Luffa Church of England School West Sussex
Oaklands Community School Southampton
Applemore College Southampton
Springfield Technology College Portsmouth
Manhood Community College Chichester, West Sussex
St Lawrence College Kent
Isle of Wight College Isle of Wight
Leigh CTC Dartford, Kent
Winners List:
Overall Winners - Dane Court Grammar School, Kent
Teamwork Prize - Newstead Woods School for Girls, Kent
Innovation Prize - Midhurst Community College, West Sussex
Race Positions -
Winner - Biofuel Boats - St Lawrence College, Kent
Winner - Electric Boats - St Lawrence College, Kent
Winner - Solar Boats - Applemore College, Southampton
Technical Prizes -
Biofuel Boats-
Hull & Superstructure - Oaklands Community School, Southampton
Powertrain - Dane Court Grammar School, Kent
Electric Boats -
Hull & Superstructure - Newstead Woods school for Girls
Powertrain - Manhood Community College, Chichester
Solar Boats -
Hull & Superstructure - Leigh CTC, Dartford
Powertrain - Manhood Community College, Chichester
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