A hull of an idea
St Lawrence College in Ramsgate is one of 21 schools taking part in the 2008 Schools Marine Challenge. As they strive for success in this year’s competition St Lawrence College is aiming to top last year’s entry. Particular attention has been placed on multi-hull design, producing different hull types for solar, electric and methanol boats.
All patterns have been made in the school and the moulds are used to produce GRP hulls, the quality of which is as good as anything you could buy. Even staff are getting in on the act and have produced their own entry called, Mojo.
Schools Marine Challenge plays an important part in the development of links between schools and businesses across the South East. By working together knowledge is shared and the next generation of marine engineers and designers are on their way to success. 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.
Since its inception the popularity of Schools Marine Challenge has grown with entries up 50 percent sine 2006. Both business and schools take this competition seriously and welcome the challenges they face as they compete to see who will be this year's winning entry. This year's school entrants include:-
Applemore College, Southampton Hampshire
Bishop Luffa Church of England School, Chichester West Sussex
Dane Court Grammar School, Broadstairs Kent
Leigh Academy, Dartford Kent
Midhurst Intermediate School, Midhurst, West Sussex
Oaklands Community School, Southampton Hampshire
Quilly School of Engineering, Eastleigh Hampshire
Rainham School for Girls, Rainham Kent
Seaford College, Petworth West Sussex
Springfield Technology College, Portsmouth Hampshire
Carisbrooke High School, Newport Isle of Wight
St Andrew's C of E High School for Boys, Worthing West Sussex
St Anne's Catholic School, Southampton Hampshire
The Arnewood School, New Milton Hampshire
Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, Bicester Oxfordshire
St Birinus School, Didcot Oxfordshire
Manhood Community College, Chichester West Sussex
Newstead Woods School for Girls, Orpington Kent
St Lawrence College, Ramsgate Kent
The Forest School, Horsham West Sussex
The Sholing Technology College, Southampton Hampshire
This year's race day is taking place on Tuesday 1st July at Southwater Water Sports Centre. Companies can support the event in a number of ways, either by providing technical support and advice to schools designing and constructing their petrol, electric and solar-powered boats or by providing sponsorship for individual prizes or overall sponsorship of the Challenge itself. If you are looking for a way to improve access to young people interested in a career in the marine industry or would like to raise your profile in the local media by supporting this event we would like to hear from you.
For further information on the event or if you would like to get involved with a school near you please contact David Rea either by calling 02380 111 597 or email david@marinesoutheast.co.uk
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