Bay House student Zahra Stanbury and Brune Park student Molly Munro secured sponsored places at Oundle School’s Engineering Course, held in collaboration with Swansea University. The five-day residential program took place between Monday 3rd to Friday 7th July and offered students a unique opportunity to explore the exciting world of engineering through a hands-on learning experience.
The course challenged participants to design, build, and test their own rocket cars. Combining theory with practice, students explored various aspects of engineering, from computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D printing to wind tunnel testing.
“I was initially a little nervous as I didn’t know anyone,” Zahra said about her experience. “But I enjoyed the opportunity and made new friends while learning new skills like CAD, design, modelling, and testing.”
The week provided students an opportunity to develop their engineering skills and knowledge. They received guidance from Dr. Ben Evans, Associate Professor in Aerospace Engineering at Swansea University and had access to Oundle School’s state-of-the-art Patrick Engineering Centre.
“The course was a fantastic experience,” said Molly. “I particularly enjoyed working with my team to design and build our rocket car. It was great seeing our design come to life and perform well during the trials.”
In addition to the engineering activities, the program offered students the chance to participate in other demonstrations, including “From the Moon to Mars” presented by Imperial College London and “Murderous Maths Mayhem” with Kjartan Poskitt. Students also enjoyed a trip to the Coventry Transport Museum, where they received a guided tour of the Land Speed Exhibition and experienced the land speed record in the museum’s 4D simulator.
Zahra’s and Molly’s participation in the program builds on the STEM curriculum at Bay Hosue and Brune Park schools and enthuses them to continue their pursuit of careers in engineering. Their experiences at Oundle School have undoubtedly ignited their passion for the field and equipped them with valuable skills and knowledge that will benefit them in their future endeavours.
