Sixty Year 7 students enjoyed an inspiring day as part of their Focus Friday activities.  Jonathan Ellis, Ambassador Programme Director from BLOODHOUND SSC delivered an information session on the World Land Speed Record attempt, which will take place in South Africa in 2011 and will reach speeds of over 1,000mph!  The project was launched in 2008 and has already been through ten design evolutions.  The design of the car is produced from an EJ200 jet engine from a Eurofighter Typhoon, positioned above the prototype hybrid rocket – the largest ever designed in the UK.  Chris Boocock from Rainham Industrial Services based in Tilbury introduced The Gateway Academy to BLOODHOUND SSC in 2009 with a series of talks arranged by Derek Cumming from the Engineering Department.
 
The students were excited to learn how quickly the car will reach the designated speed and how the car would be kept on the ground at such high speeds.  Their thirst for knowledge was truly inspiring and asked many interesting and informed questions about all aspects of the Project and the Engineering Solutions associated with building a car capable of such high speeds. 
 
The day then progressed on to projects such as how to run a business, what was needed for advertising, how to work as part of a team and how to cost a project, amongst other activities during the day. 
 
To illustrate the need for teamwork, the students were asked to design a sandwich; they were responsible for the design, cost, marketing and production of their product.  This showed just how much is involved in business, whatever that may be.