Making waves: Students put STEM skills to the test at QinetiQ's Powerboat Challenge

A total of nine schools, with year seven to 11s, from Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Wiltshire, Surrey and Hertfordshire came to Haslar Marine Technology Park in Gosport to race model powerboats which they have been working on with support from industry experts.

Around 500 year-8 students, aged 12-13 have now taken part in the event throughout its 17-year history, providing a valuable insight into a variety of potential career paths, highlighting skills in science, technology, engineering and maths. They were supported on the day by a industry leaders including the Royal Institute of Naval Architects, UK NEST, and the Royal Navy.

The race action took place in QinetiQ's world-leading indoor test and evaluation facility, the Ocean Basin. Measuring 122m long, 61m wide, and 5.5m deep, it can hold 40,000 tonnes of water. It's used to assess the performance of model commercial and defence vessels from across the world, utilising its rotating arm, wave machine and array of motion capture and analysis tools.

Will Blamey, Chief Executive, UK Defence, QinetiQ, said: "The race day is great fun, but this is about the whole experience for the students. They've combined practical and technical skills with team work to make sure their boats can float and move. These are the fundamentals of being a naval architect and core to our work at Haslar where we've supported the development of maritime vessels for the last 140 years.

"The Powerboat Challenge is just one way that we, as an organisation, can help today's young people understand what a career in both industry and STEM is like, empowering them to make informed decisions about their future."

Conrad Manning, Senior Naval Architect at QinetiQ has been organising the Schools Powerboat Challenge for the last five years. He said: "It's great to see the innovation from the students and the increasingly novel ways that the boats are designed and to see how much fun they have on the race day.

"I would have loved to have had the opportunity to take part in the event when I was at school and was lucky enough to know that I wanted to design ships as a career. It's amazing to know so many students have taken part over the years, some of whom I hope have been inspired into a career in engineering."

Mr Homewood, Head of Technology and Director of STEM at Testbourne Community School said: "I have been involved with the QinetiQ Schools Powerboat challenge for many years and with two different schools.

"Each year students have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of researching, designing, building, and testing their powerboats.

"Students learn how invaluable problem solving, teamwork and good communication will have on producing a successful design and realising a competitive powerboat. The overall day is very enjoyable and the support given by the staff and visitors adds to the value and learning experience of each student."

Winners

• 1st Arrow - Cowes Enterprise College, Isle of Wight
• 2nd Duck Duck Goose - Chafyn Godolphin School, Salisbury
• 3rd Longfin - Royal Grammar School, Guildford, Surrey

Awards

• Presentation Award - St Albans School, St Albans, Hertfordshire
• Judges Award - Royal Grammar School, Guildford, Surrey
• Perseverance Award - Polygon School, Southampton, Hampshire

The day before the Schools' Challenge, ten teams from across the defence and maritime industry also took part in an Industry Powerboat Challenge, giving early careers employees the chance to put their skills and expertise to the test. The winning team was from BMT.