As part of their 375th birthday celebrations, Red Maids' School, Bristol hosted a 6th form conference entitled ‘Women in Science and Engineering’ recently. Over 180 students gathered from different schools across the south west for a day of inspirational talks and fun workshops. The aim was to encourage participants to think about what science and engineering can do for them. 

BLOODHOUND team members, Claire Rocks and Jenna Gaff delivered an interesting workshop aimed at introducing BloodhoundSSC to the students, as well as getting them to investigate the effects of drag with varying cross sectional area. This was a workshop adapted from the Green Vehicle challenge developed by David Henshall at the University of the West of England, Bristol.

Students assembled a test rig, and using a portable desk fan created their very own ‘wind tunnel’.  They used the apparatus to investigate three types of car including BLOODHOUND.  Measurements were taken and the amount of drag seen was worked out using a spreadsheet.

 

Picture left shows the rig construction taking place.

 

 
From the cars below, can you work out which one had the lowest drag force acting on it when undergoing wind tunnel testing?

 

Students cut these out and hung them from the rigs they made before placing them in our 'wind tunnel'.

Feedback from the students was very positive:

“I came in knowing nothing about BloodhoundSSC and now I have a good grasp of the basic ideas.”

“It was interesting to find out about the ongoing project. It was also fun to build the test rig and see how it was affected by the fan!”

“Great practical which helped to portray the concept of drag. It made me consider something I wouldn't normally think about”

In addition to various workshops held, there were very informative talks taking place. Our very own education ambassador, Kate Bellingham, delivered a very well received and warmly appreciated speech on what science and engineering has done for her. Kate also participated in a question and answer session alongside Marie-Noelle Barton MBE (former WISE director) and Helen Fennell (winner of WISE national award and former Red Maid) seated from left to right in this picture.
 
Overall the day was very successful as it gave many of the students something to think about!

By Jenna Gaff and Claire Rocks