Back

Power to Drive

Students build, problem solve, test and race a miniature electric car!

The Neon quality mark shows this activity has been reviewed and meets Neon's quality standards.

Overview

Miniature electric cars are built to demonstrate some of the principles of gears, before the young people then use the cars to understand the relationship between voltage input and distance travelled.

They can then use this knowledge to perform a series of tests to draw up a graph, and a line of best fit if applicable, with the intention of getting their team's car to stop closest to a specified distance.

The session concludes with a race for all the teams, to see whose car has been built to the highest standard!

Logistics

  • Needs to be delivered in a large classroom, hall or other clear space with a few tables available.
  • This experience is designed for an ideal group size of 30 learners, but a minimum of 10 and maximum of 45 can be accommodated.

Cost

Prices vary depending on location: £670+VAT for schools within an hour and a half of Derby and circa £790+VAT for schools beyond this. Discounts will be applied for multiple bookings, and the provider can be flexible to accommodate Neon bursary holders.

Details

Curriculum links
  • Physics: Electricity and electromagnetism
  • Physics: Motion and forces
  • Engineering
  • Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves: Electricity
  • Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves: Forces
  • Technologies - Craft, design, engineering and graphics: Application of engineering
  • Physics: Electricity
  • Physics: Forces
  • Design thinking and engineering: Engineering
  • Sciences - Forces and energy: Using electricity
  • Technology & design - Control: Incorporate control systems in products
  • Sciences - Forces and energy: Forces and energy transfer
  • Technology & design - Control
Group size
Whole class, Small groups
Participation level
Hands-on
Duration
1 to 2 hours
Cost
Cost applies
Location
In-school
  • UK-wide

Learning outcomes

  • Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
  • Attainment and progress
  • Learning what the engineering workplace is like
  • Develop engineering employability skills
  • Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
  • Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering

Frameworks

EqualEx

  • Introduce and Inspire

Essential skills

The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:

  • Planning - Setting goals and designing routes to achieve them
  • Creativity - Using imagination and generating new ideas
  • Problem solving - Finding solutions to challenges
  • Adapting - Overcoming challenges and setbacks to achieve goals
  • Teamwork - Working cooperatively with others to achieve a shared goal

Enrichment framework

  • 5 - An accessible and engagement enrichment offer
  • 7 - An outcomes-focused enrichment offer

How to book

Enquire with provider