Back in July before schools finished for the summer holidays, Kings Leadership Academy Liverpool proudly hosted an exhilarating STEM competition, featuring talented students from three schools within the trust: King’s Leadership Academy Liverpool, King’s Leadership Academy Hawthornes, and King’s Leadership Academy Bolton. The event brought together some of the brightest young minds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as they competed to design and construct the fastest CO2-powered car.
The cornerstone of this competition was teamwork, with each student playing a vital role in the intricate processes of research, design, fabrication, assembly, and testing. Competitors were given two foam blocks, which they meticulously cut, carved, and shaped to achieve maximum aerodynamic efficiency, ensuring their cars could speed to the finish line with minimal resistance.
After the initial shaping, students modified their designs to incorporate as much downforce as possible. This was essential for maintaining traction and preventing their cars from veering off the track. Realising the importance of elements like wings and spoilers, students enhanced their cars' stability and power by securing the necessary ground force.
The challenge of achieving high speeds required competitors to balance their cars' weight. A vehicle that was too heavy would be slowed down, while one that was too light might lose control. Competitors had to strike the perfect balance, with car weights ranging from 76 grams to 95 grams.
As the final touches were made on the track, excitement filled the air. Mr. Stavrinou put the cars to the test, racing them to the line. The results were as follows:
King’s Hawthorne’s: 90 grams, 1.9 seconds
King’s Bolton: 86 grams, 1.7 seconds
King’s Liverpool: 67 grams, 1.28 seconds (Winner)
In a fierce and closely contested competition, Kings Leadership Academy Liverpool emerged victorious with their car achieving the fastest time.
Overall, the competition showcased not only the technical skills and creativity of the students but also their ability to collaborate effectively under pressure. It was a testament to the academic excellence and innovative spirit amongst students from across the trust.
Organiser, Mario Stavrinou, Subject Network Lead for Design Technology said, “A heartfelt thank you to all staff and students involved. We look forward to seeing you all at next year's competition!”