Future engineers in pole position: Weavers Academy students hit the track with STEM on Track Go-Kart project

Bolts secured, motors purring, and excitement levels soaring—the pupils at Weavers Academy are swapping their study materials for tool kits as they embark on an exhilarating engineering journey through the STEM on Track initiative. With four modern go-karts ready, four dedicated groups have formed. This promises to be one unmissable event.

As part of an effort to make science, technology, engineering, and mathematics more tangible, Year 9 pupils are crafting and operating their own combustion-engine go-karts. These budding engineers collaborate in specially formed groups where they gain knowledge about mechanical components and electrical setups while honing skills in teamwork, analytical reasoning, and project organisation.

Following several weeks of meticulous planning and construction in the workshop, the teams encountered their most significant hurdle to date: a genuine track evaluation at Whilton Mill, which stands as one of Britain’s leading karting venues. With official scrutineers overseeing, every go-cart underwent rigorous inspection and received approval, signifying an important step for the students progressing from design phase onto the racing circuit.

The anticipation was tangible," remarked one of the overseeing team members. "To witness their diligent efforts transition smoothly into a professional setting and get approved was a significant morale booster.

After they were cleared, the students headed out onto the track for their initial driving session. To numerous participants, this marked an exhilarating initiation into motor racing, providing them with a sense of how engineering functions in practice.

It was fantastic," remarked a Year 9 pupil, still exhilarated after the event. "We've put in countless hours over several months, so getting behind the wheel of our own constructedkart and racing it on an actual track—it was simply breathtaking.

The STEM on Track The project goes beyond being just an enjoyable after-school activity; it serves as an immersive educational opportunity designed to motivate future leaders in engineering, design, and innovation. Through linking academic lessons with practical use cases, pupils develop both technical abilities and a deeper understanding of how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics play crucial roles in our daily lives.

Weavers Academy’s participation highlights the institution's dedication to offering dynamic, forward-thinking chances for its pupils—demonstrating that once education accelerates, there's no telling how much further youthful intellects can progress. The upcoming step involves fine-tuning the go-karts in preparation for race day!