The RAF Youth and STEM Team led a one off event on Wednesday for twenty-five lucky Explorers and Rangers. They usually run a national program of STEM engagement across the UK to inspire the younger generation to take up STEM and keep the door open for a variety of STEM careers. (links here)
The program provided at Poacher involves designing, building, and racing a sticxx cart. A Stixx cart is a “crossover between a go cart and a soap box,” according to Jake, Jersey division and Circus Fest. The group of Explorers and Rangers were randomly put into two groups; Team Good and Team Bad. Throughout the day they swapped roles of; chief mechanic, media manager, chief designer, pit manager, and media correspondent.
The “bare minimum” was given to them of a metal base and wheels; however they needed to create the frame and steering wheel from the two materials provided - newspaper and wallpaper paste. The Stixx cart is powered by human power (someone pushing it).
Throughout the day, the media correspondents were interviewed to give updates of the project. At 11:30am, Emma from 26th Lincoln and Wild West Fest and a member of Team Bad said the team sign was “being painted, the seat is down, and steering mechanism working.” They were then working towards the bumper. Over at Team Good, Rochelle from 1st Aviemore and Circus Subcamp explained they were “adding steering and finishing their sign.” Simply, they were beginning to put the separate parts together.
At 2:30pm, we interviewed Joe, a Voyager and part of Wonder Fest, a member of Team Bad stated it was “going quite well, better than Team Good.” He also said the “steering was a struggle as the wheel wouldn’t turn but it is all sorted.” Team Good member, Valentina, a Ranger from 5th Westley Rangers and Wonder Fest, said the “technical side was going well” and that their cart “looked nicer” as they added green ribbons. It was safe to say the competitive side of the program had begun.
The race took place at 4pm, and began with a timed tester that Team Bad won. Both teams were given the chance to fix anything that needed fixing from the tester. Then the real race began! The race involved two laps of a circular course with each lap changing wheels, steerers (and their outfits), along with the person pushing the carts. Both teams were practically neck and neck until lap two where Team Good took the lead but then both teams' carts broke down and the team members ran on to the course to carry the carts round the track. However, Team Good maintained their lead and therefore won. Go Team Good! They won a medal, a trophy made from the cart materials and a bluetooth speaker each.
After the race Team Good was interviewed altogether and said “it would have been worth it even if they didn’t win but winning made it so much better.” And Rose from Team Bad, Jersey division and Circus subcamp, said she “didn’t sign up to win, I signed up to create and design.” Overall, both teams worked really hard, showed excellent sportsmanship and had an amazing day!
If you want to find out more about the RAF STEM team check out their website.: rafyouthstem.org.uk