◾Two-day Big Bang at WRGB STEM Event at Service Park◾Inspirational initiatives for Welsh schools and colleges◾Winning student design to feature on Elfyn Evans’ Fiesta RS WRC ◾Tours of Toyota factory and WRC Service Park◾Bloodhound SSC Supersonic Car among many exciting exhibits
Next month’s Wales Rally GB (12-15 November) will be the focal point for a number of initiatives aimed at inspiring the nation’s ambitious young talent.
More than 1500 students from local educational establishments are expected to visit the ‘Big Bang’ Industry Awareness STEM Event being organised in the Wales Rally GB Deeside Service Park. Hundreds more will be engaged through a pair of special design competitions which are open to all secondary schools and colleges in Wales.
“Engaging with education is just one of the many ways that Wales Rally GB contributes to life within Wales,” explained Ben Taylor, managing director of Wales Rally GB. “The location of the Service Park, right next to the Toyota Engine Plant, and the presence of the world’s top WRC rally teams provides us with a fantastic opportunity to enthuse the next generation. These schemes are exciting ways to illustrate the attractions of a career within motor sport or the wider automotive industry.”
The two-day Big Bang fair will give those attending an exciting and memorable experience that will inspire and motivate them to continue with the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). No fewer than 36 companies including Airbus, Emerson & Comtek, JCB, Qioptiq and Toyota will be providing interactive displays and activities that will demonstrate STEM in action in Welsh Industry today.
The Big Bang marquee will also include a large exhibition area featuring the Bloodhound Supersonic Car, simulators, wheel-changing competitions and a host of other attractions. Students will also be treated to guided tours of Toyota’s neighbouring Engine Plant and the Wales Rally GB Service Park where all the top teams from the World Rally Championship will be based.
Two design competitions organised by the Engineering Education Scheme Wales (EESW) on behalf of the Welsh Government will also be maximising the World Rally Championship’s high-profile presence in Wales.
Students in KS3, KS4 and KS5 year groups are invited to design graphic images suitable for printing onto an item of Wales Rally GB merchandise – possible examples are a mug, T-shirt or iPhone cover. A second competition is asking young graphic designers to come up with a livery for a Welsh rally car entering Wales Rally GB.
Once selected, all the winners will be presented with their prizes at the Deeside Service Park and the winner of the livery competition will see his or her graphic applied to Elfyn Evans’ M-Sport-entered Ford Fiesta RS WRC at this year’s Wales Rally GB.
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, said: “This event is a fantastic way of engaging young people with Wales Rally GB. Getting young people involved through exciting, hands-on activities is one of the best ways to show them the relevance and importance of STEM subjects.
“The automotive sector in Wales is home to around 150 component and systems manufacturing companies and has 17,000 people employed in automotive manufacturing with an annual turnover of £3 billion. Our support for Wales Rally GB acts as a key driver in delivering the Welsh Government’s key commitment of strengthening the conditions that create jobs, wealth and sustainable growth.”
The Service Park in Deeside is the event’s busy ‘pits and paddock’ where the teams prepare the cars for the challenges of competing against-the-clock in the legendary Welsh forests. It’s open from Thursday morning to Sunday night and public admittance is totally FREE.
