Watch: Nimble model powerboats built and raced at "world class" Gosport testing facility by schoolchildren
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Inspired students put their creativity and ingenuity to the test by building and racing their own powerboats.
Pupils from eight schools took part in the challenge at Ocean Basin in Haslar Technology Park on November 21. Maritime staff from defence giant QinetiQ were on hand in Gosport to help the teams construct the vessels and navigate them through the challenging course.
Jim Graham, managing director for maritime and land, said: “The Powerboat Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn a variety of skills and hopefully be inspired by our world class facilities to explore a career in engineering.
“While the final race day is clearly the highlight, the students start this exercise at the beginning of the school year. They work in teams to create their finished product, with support from our staff and local subject matter experts who visit them to lend a hand and to share their expert knowledge.”
This was the 16th time that races were held at the specialist Gosport facility. Ocean Basin is one of the one of the largest and most advanced maritime test environments in Europe, measuring 122m long, 61m wide, 5.5m deep and capable of holding 40 million litres of water.
Brune Park School in Gosport and Boundary Oak in Fareham were the local schools to participate, with the former receiving a perseverance award. Students from Cowes Enterprise College on the Isle of Wight won first prize with their vessel DL75.
Captain Mark Hamilton, Commanding Officer for HMS Sultan - a training base for Royal Navy engineers - said: “I hope today’s participants continue to be curious, challenge themselves and this experience sets them up for a career in engineering. Success can be defined in a variety of ways and today’s teams have demonstrated perseverance, engineering prowess, and determination to succeed.”