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The BLOODHOUND: Full 3D design drawings released!

The BLOODHOUND Team have now published the full design drawings for its iconic jet and rocket-powered World Land Speed Record contender, BLOODHOUND SSC.
As part of BLOODHOUND’s mission to inspire STEM learners across the UK, the full C.A.D. designs have been made publicly available to enable colleges to use them in their lessons.
The 3D design drawings allow viewers to explore the remarkable engineering that allows BLOODHOUND SSC to accelerate from 0 to 1050 mph and back in just 100 seconds and safely handle the phenomenal forces and loads acting upon it: the 47,000 lbs thrust (equivalent to 133,000 bhp) generated by its jet and rocket engines; 30 tonne suspension loadings; air pressures on the bodywork of up to 10 tonnes per square metre; the air brakes each exert 2.2 tonnes as they open; solid aluminium wheels alone weigh 90 kg each and will be spinning at 10,200 rpm, generating 50,000 radial g at the rim.

John Wood, President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers said:
“It’s unprecedented to release detailed design data from a project like this, yet it’s part of the unique appeal and importance of BLOODHOUND to demonstrate how sophisticated engineering works. This world class project demonstrates the remarkable creative and technical skills already in the UK, and we hope it will inspire a whole new generation.”
Mark Chapman, BLOODHOUND Chief Engineer, added: “If you had a spare jet, rocket and F1 engine, you could, in theory, use these drawings to build your own BLOODHOUND at home. Much as we enjoy a good race, we don’t recommend it. Things get pretty hairy when you travel faster than a bullet!”

The downloadable 3D design drawings, that make up the car’s genetics, are the result of an incredible 30 man-years of cutting-edge research and world-beating design work. Comprised of 4,000 individually-designed components, you can deconstruct the CAD model layer by layer, rotate on all axes and zoom in and out, using professional engineering software from Siemens.
The 3D design drawings will be used extensively in the BLOODHOUND Education Programme, which produces curriculum-ready resource materials for all levels of education. Currently 246 further education colleges, 4,081 primary and secondary schools and 42 universities, encompassing 1.5 million students, are now exposed to real-world case studies based on the jet and rocket powered Car, helping to bring their Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) lessons vibrantly to life.
Students across the country are already building their own pyrotechnic rocket cars, go-karts and even a life-size replica of the BLOODHOUND cockpit complete with seat, steering yoke and dials. So, who knows what imaginative projects will be inspired by the release of these design drawings!

To download CAD drawings visit: http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/car/facts_and_figures/cad_drawings.cfm

Source: The Bloodhound Bulletin, 21/04/2011

10 STEM Ambassadors needed for Science Showcase!

Date: May 17th 2011
Venue: The International Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle Science City Showcase event will focus on showcasing projects within the city’s three areas of science excellence – sustainability, ageing & health and stem cell & regenerative medicine. There will be over 30 exhibitors during the day (including e.g. Limbal stem cells, Institute of Neuroscience, DOVE Marine Lab). The organisers say:

“This event is a must for anyone studying science at school, thinking of a career in a scientific area or those who simply enjoy seeing science in action!”

They are looking for 10 STEM Ambassadors who could support the event in the following areas:

This event is perfect for STEM Ambassadors from universities studying Biology, Chemistry or any other Science subjects in Newcastle! The Ambassadors would be required on the 17^th itself from 11am until 8pm and one hour the day before for a briefing session at 2pm. If you are avilable, please contact STEM Outreach via email: stempoint@ncl-coll.ac.uk or call 0191 200 4453.

Newcastle Science City Showcase event

A celebration of the innovative science happening in our region

Venue: Scotswood Suite, Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne
Date: 17 May 2011
Time: 12noon – 5pm

Newcastle is a proud city of science. Driving forward the development of electric vehicles, playing a leading role in identifying causes and prevention of Alzheimer’s and pioneering cutting-edge stem cell research into the diagnosis and treatment of cancer – just some of the innovative science activities that are happening right here in Newcastle.

To showcase these activities Newcastle Science City are bringing the city’s science excellence to life under one roof, at the International Centre for Life on 17 May between 12noon and 5pm. The venue will come alive with a vibrant exhibition of the work happening across our region giving schoolchildren and the local community the chance to meet with scientists and get behind their discoveries through models, films, presentations, even taking part in a real-life experiment!

On the day we’ll be joined by special guest Steve Mould, Blue Peter’s resident scientist, who will be bringing science to life using his unique, engaging style that has won the hearts of children and adults alike.

This event is a must for anyone studying science at school, thinking of a career in a scientific area or those who simply enjoy seeing science in action!

If your school would like to attend please provide; your school name, how many children you will be bringing and your estimated time of arrival at the event via email to helen.mcloughlin@newcastlesciencecity.com

(Please note it is anticipated that each school will need 1.5 hours to see the exhibition in full)

OPAL Climate Survey training

A training session for teachers, school staff and STEM Ambassadors about OPAL Climate Survey. The surveys are getting people to measure wind speed, direction and temperature, along with monitoring airplane contrails. OPAL provides a full climate survey pack for free, and the survey results can be uploaded to OPAL online database: www.opalexplorenature.org. You are welcome to attend this session and collect survey packs at the same time.
Date: Wednesday 11/05/2011
Time: 4-6pm
Venue: Moorbank Botanic Garden, Claremont Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4NL

To book your place please contact:
Helen Weddle

OPAL Education Officer
Newcastle University
Tel: 0191 246 4807
Email: helen.weddle@newcastle.ac.uk

Girls into Engineering

North Tyneside EBP, Stem Outreach and Tyne Metropolitan College invited 10 girls from Whitley Bay High School to think about a career in engineering. Girls into Engineering event was dedicated to Year 10 girls. The event took place on Thursday 14th April between 10am and 12pm at Tyne Met College (North Tyneside) and this exciting morning gave girls a taster of how life in the field of engineering is today. They met four female STEM Ambassadors from a range of companies and took part in interactive engineering workshops.

Stephanie Burn, who completed a degree in Aviation Technology and plan to train as a commercial pilot, talked about pilot’s life and how our body reacts when we sit inside the aircraft which is flying 40,000 feet above the ground! Students also had to design and produce a tower to support a wind turbine by using paper and tape only. All three structures survived “wind tests” and the best one was about one meter high!

All the girls, including STEM Ambassadors, enjoyed the morning and promised to talk about engineering more!

STEM day @ Mortimer

7 STEM Ambassadors visited Mortimer Community College (South Tyneside) on Wednesday 13th April to deliver STEM talks and hands-on workshops. 200 Year 8 students and 20 STEM Leaders from afterschool science and engineering club enjoyed the day full of DNA extraction (Cancer Research UK), wind turbines (RES), climate change weather forecasts and other STEM activities…
Katerina Fytopoulou – STEM Ambassador with engineering background said:
“The event was really well organised, the students were fantastic; some of them blew my mind with their teamwork, interpersonal skills and analytical thinking. Their teacher made us feel welcomed and valued.”
Lauren Anderson, Maths teacher and STEM club coordinators added:
“The students loved the DNA activity – a favourite! But the weather/environment activity with Kat was also very successful! Students loved anything with practical activities.”And at the end of the day best students got Easter Eggs from STEM Ambassadors!

Well done All!

Hidden Science Map

The Science Council’s Hidden Science Project – www.hiddensciencemap.org

The Science Council is calling all types of science people to come out and help them show just how much science and maths is used every day all over the UK, and the amazing range of different jobs there are out there. From pharmacists and farmers to fireworks designers, if you are using science, maths, engineering or technology as the foundation for your work or career they would like you to put yourself onto the new www.hiddensciencemap.org

Diana Garnham, Chief Executive of The Science Council, explains the need to branch out from the usual formal style of science career profiles, which can often put young people off being a scientist:

“The UK’s science and technology sectors will be driving the economy in the 21st century so we need to do more than ever before to attract young people to aspire to be a scientist. But young people don’t realise that there are scientists living and working all around them so our message needs to draw on the science in people’s daily lives to show that there are more ways to be a scientist than they think.”

The map is open to individuals, including retired science people and aspiring scientists and students, organisations, employers and teams of scientists. A short profile takes about 10 minutes. Those with a creative streak, or with lots of friends and colleagues who want to join in, can make a place portrait (our name for a group image) to which personal and organisational profiles can be pinned. They aim to have a science person in every postcode over the next few weeks so that when the map is launched for its audience it will be a rich source of information.

The website should answer all your questions, but please get in touch if not, hiddensciencemap@sciencecouncil.org

The North East Solar Car Challenge 2011

The North East Solar Car Challenge 2011 will take place on 12 July at Nissan UK, Sunderland.

The annual event is aimed at primary years 5/6 and presents an opportunity for school children to learn about solar power in a fun way. The challenge involves building two cars, one for speed races and one to showcase design ideas.

In addition to the speed races and design competition, there will be a number of activities for the children on the day. The 2011 competition is open to 24 North East schools.

Further info and registration forms are available on the website: http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/energysolarcarchallenge

To express interest in the 2011 competition please contact:

Newcastle schools – contact Kate Coulthard on phone: 278 3442 or email: energy@newcastle.gov.uk
Durham – Rich Hurst Rich.Hurst@durhamlearning.net
North Tyneside – Laura Manley Laura.Manley@northtyneside.gov.uk
Hartlepool – Joanne Taylor joanne.taylor@hartlepool.gov.uk
Northumberland – Sarah Brierley sarah.brierley@northumberland.gov.uk
South Tyneside – Deborah Crooks deborah.crooks@southtyneside.gov.uk
All other LEA areas – Alison Matthews alison.matthews@est-ne.org.uk

North East Nuffield Bursary placements available

£80 per week available to students studying A Level or other higher academic or vocational STEM qualifications in the North East!

Nuffield Foundation offer up to 1000 bursaries a year, for students to work alongside practising scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. Projects take place during the summer holidays, giving students an insight into the world of scientific research and development.

Placements are available across the North East, in universities, research institutions and other organisations.

Take a look at projects available for Summer 2011 here:

Nuffield Placements 2011

Download the student application form here:

Nuffield Student Application Form

Free public lecture: Extreme weather

Institute of Physics North East Branch presents a free public lecture: Extreme weather.

Dr Ross Reynolds (University of Reading) will be talking about extreme weather and how it is monitored and predicted. He will be tailoring the talk, to some extent, to the needs of the sixth formers but will be of interest to all-comers.
Extreme weather takes many forms. This illustrated talk will outline the origin and nature of severe weather from thunderstorms to tornadoes to hurricanes, including some examples from the USA and UK. The way in which these are monitored and predicted in the 21st century will be discussed.
Dr Reynolds is a lecturer and researcher in hazardous weather and has published three books on the subject so far.
Refreshments will be served from 6.30pm
All Welcome!

Date: Thursday 14th April 2011
Time: 7.00pm in the Main Hall
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Vane Terrace, Darlington, DL3 7AU