Maths in motion

 

 
THE JAGUAR CARS MATHS IN MOTION CHALLENGE FOR SCHOOLS
 
This Challenge, which is for students aged 9 to 16, has been running in schools for 10 years and is probably the biggest schools maths challenge in the UK, with an estimated 150,000 students taking part each year.
 
The project is software based and relies on students, working together in small teams, applying a range of maths, engineering and science skills to set up a ‘virtual’ Grand Prix racing car – STEM by any other name! This car then competes in a race with ‘cars’ set up by their colleagues. Using actual circuit diagrams (this is definitely not a game!) they will need to calculate/measure the lengths of straights and angles of the bends to help them determine their race speeds for each feature.
Just for good measure, throw into the mix work involving aerodynamics, gears, suspension and engine tuning, and then use of the following, and you will have one very exciting project on your hands - and you don't have to know anything at all about cars!:-
 
- Percentages
- Multiplication, Division
- Calculator work (or not!)
- Decimals, rounding, context
- Ratios, chance, risk, strategy
- Speed, distance, time
- Maths modelling... what happens if?
- Engine performance, aerodynamics, gears, suspension
- Team strategy, working together 
- Interpreting graphs, statistics
- PLTS
- Data handling
- Functional Maths Skills
- Tyre choices, pit stops, changing weather
 
Literally hundreds of teachers have reported that, apart from helping to raise standards, the Challenge has done wonders to help raise self-esteem and has even been known to motivate the most reluctant of students! The Challenge runs throughout the school year (most schools join in during the Autumn Term) and culminates in a National Final in June. At this year’s Final, a total of 36 teams (12 from each of 3 the Age Ranges) qualified to take part and the photographs below show the three winning teams being presented with their prizes by Les Ratcliffe, the Communications Manager of Jaguar Land Rover.
 

KS4, S3/S4 CHAMPIONS & OVERALL WINNERS
BayHouseSchool
Hampshire
PRIMARY CHAMPIONS
BankfootPrimary School
Bradford
KS3, P7/S1/S2 CHAMPIONS
AshtonMiddle School
Bedfordshire

 
The Challenge is equally at home in the classroom and in a STEM Club environment. Many schools get involved in transition years projects as a result of this and have benefitted hugely as a result, some seeing dramatic improvement. Finally, it is worth noting that the Challenge is a ‘LINKED SCHEME’ for the purposes of CREST Awards. This means that provided you register your students with your CREST coordinator at the beginning of your project, they are eligible to apply for a CREST Bronze Award as a result of the work they will do throughout the project – 2 for the price of 1!
 
If you would like to know how your school can join in, there is plenty of additional information on the Challenge website at www.mathschallenge.org.uk. You can also contact Brian Richardson, the National Organiser, on info@mathschallenge.org.uk or by calling him on 01487 741223.
 
Last Modified: 31/08/2010