Brighouse pupils create super cars – with the help of some balloons, inspiration from the Bloodhound project and engineers at Cummins

PUPILS learnt about power by building their own model super cars.

The children of St Andrew’s Junior School in Brighouse joined forces with Cummins Turbo Technologies as part of a super science class.

It’s part of Cummins’ involvement in the Bloodhound world land speed record attempt and the Huddersfield-based company is taking engineering into schools.

The company’s work with the spectacular Bloodhound project aims to create a car which can top a staggering 1,000mph.

And last night, fans flocking to the Huddersfield Giants game at the John Smith’s Stadium got to get up close and personal with the Bloodhound.

A prototype of the car went on show in the stadium car park and was the centre of attention.

The Huddersfield firm is working with high schools across Yorkshire to foster an interest among students in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Turnbridge-based manufacturer Cummins Turbo Technologies is taking part in the Bloodhound SSC Project, an initiative sponsored by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

Bloodhound SSC is a supersonic car being developed by some of the world’s leading engineers.

One of the projects took Cummins staff to St Andrews.

Alex Stelfox, a graduate engineer at Cummins, said: “We provided the school with materials from the Bloodhound team and the children made balloon-powered cars or designed parts of it.

“We do a similar project in secondary schools where they make rocket-powered cars, but the balloon cars worked well. Some of the children’s models made it half way across the classroom.

“And they thought about design and aero-dynamics too, some put spoilers on or designed the nose of the car to make it go quicker.”

Alex and John Allport, engineering training and talent development leader, then wowed the pupils with a demonstration of a rocket car.

Cummins has helped bring the Bloodhound to Huddersfield and hope it helps inspire young engineers.

Alex added: “Projects like this help us show engineering and science can be fun, it gets young children interested so they look forward to it when they go to secondary school.”