Rocket car challenge tests students’ skills

Toyota Manufacturing UK has hosted a skills competition where youngsters were challenged to design, build and race a rocket-powered car from scratch.

Held at the Toyota Academy training centre its saw Year 7 students from four schools in Greater Manchester compete.

It was organised as part of Race to the Line, a programme promoting the uptake of science, engineering, technology and mathematics (STEM) subjects in schools to encourage a future generation of skilled technicians, designers and engineers. 

The three-year STEM initiative is organised by Toyota (GB), RRG, a leading automotive retail group in the Greater Manchester region, and The Learning Partnership.

Richard Balshaw, Toyota (GB) executive director, said: “The future success of the UK’s automotive industry relies on new generations of inspired and skilled engineers, technicians and designers coming forward.

“With activities such as this STEM initiative and fun competition, we are giving young people the chance to experience some of the rewards a tech-based career can offer.”