This course was unveiled to the students during the opening ceremony and featured several challenging obstacles using a Range Rover Vogue SE as its central point. Prior to taking on the driving challenge, the teams had to give a verbal presentation to a team of judges, brought in from premium partner and sponsor companies, including WNT (UK). They also have a 'pit lane walkabout to contend with, where their projects are laid out for scrutiny by the public and VIPs in attendance.
In total 25 teams made it to the National final, with 100 students involved. The winners were finally Clyst Valley School in Devon – the Clystalians – celebrating with the award of the prestigious Land Rover 4X4 in Schools Technology Challenge trophy, along with an Arkwright scholarship from Land Rover, a £1,000 scholarship for Harper Adams University, and a Land Rover 4x4 Track Experience.
In addition to the overall title, the Clystalians also took the prize for the Best Track Performance Award for their skills on the off road course. Engineering skills obviously are in the genes down in Devon as Clyst Valley Community school also celebrated with third place overall, with its team of 'Supacats' joining Clystalians on the podium, with a team of students from The King's School in Worcester coming a close second.
Highlighting the technology and teamwork involved, Zacc Tullett, Team Manager for Cystalians said, "The Challenge has really shown us the career opportunities available in engineering and at least two of us are now interested in pursuing engineering careers."
Speaking as one of the Premium Partners of the Land Rover 4x4 Challenge Tony Pennington, Managing Director, WNT (UK) said: "Our involvement with the Land Rover 4x4 in Schools Technology Challenge has grown over the years because we realise that by enthusing children at an early age about design and manufacture, that interest will, hopefully, remain with them as they make career choices. By partnering with the Land Rover 4x4 in Schools Challenge we are building on our long standing commitment to support schools and colleges with cutting tool technology and technical support."
Les Ratcliffe, Head of Community Relations for Jaguar Land Rover said, "The Land Rover 4x4 in Schools Challenge demonstrates the importance and relevance of STEM subjects and we hope it will encourage more youngsters to consider careers in engineering and manufacturing. The students have demonstrated a depth of understanding in vehicle design, development, research and manufacturing which goes far beyond the classroom teaching. The standard of the vehicles and level of knowledge and enthusiasm of the teams are very impressive. Congratulations to 'Clystalians' on winning the UK final and best of luck to them for the world finals in June."
A total of 12 awards were presented on the day that highlighted the hard work and high standards of work produced by the teams of students.
The Land Rover 4x4 in Schools Technology Challenge was developed by Land Rover and is managed by Engineering in Motion a not-for-profit organisation funded by generous support from lead sponsors Jaguar Land Rover and supporting sponsors and partners the Institution of Engineering and Technology, WNT, Denford Limited, LUKE, Raspberry Pi and Harper Adams University.
