‘Great Electric Egg Race’

Teams of students from schools and colleges across Sussex battled it out to be named winner of the 2014 ‘Great Electric Egg Race’, which was held at the University of Brighton on 20 March.
Central Sussex College students at the Great Electric Egg Race SUS-140704-162424001Central Sussex College students at the Great Electric Egg Race SUS-140704-162424001
Central Sussex College students at the Great Electric Egg Race SUS-140704-162424001

Two teams of student scientists from Central Sussex College’s Sixth Form Haywards Heath took part in the event; their mission to design and build a machine to catapult a small chocolate egg further than their rivals, using only the materials supplied. With 90 minutes to complete the task the pressure was on and their powers of invention and construction were tested to the limit!

Judging the competition were engineers and scientists from local companies who awarded points based on planning, design, quality of build and teamwork, as well as the distance the eggs were projected.

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Deanna Nicholson, Programme Area Manager for Science and Care, who accompanied the teams on the day said: “After a hard fought battle, we were delighted that one of our teams was named the winner! Students Zoe Wagland, 18; Gabriel Dransfield, 18; and Stefan Abram, 17, all from Haywards Heath, managed to design a contraption which catapulted their egg much further than any other team.

“The judges were also impressed with their planning, simple but effective design, and their ‘egg-cellent’ teamworking when they hit problems.

“Our other team, Alex Johnson, 18, and Tim Obsborn, 17, put in a great effort too, utilising a really innovative design which also managed to work – much to their relief! It was a great day, and one of the highlights of our calendar!”

All the students who took part in the event will gain a Bronze Crest Award for their work - a UK award scheme recognising success, building skills and demonstrating personal achievement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) project work.

Report and picture contributed by Central Sussex College.