Starters orders for 4×4 challenge

Registration has opened for the Land Rover 4×4 Schools Challenge. The initiative is intended to inspire the next generation of engineers with the practical challenge of designing and building their own remote-control all-terrain vehicles.

Teams of three to six students are tasked with building a four-wheel drive vehicle that will tackle obstacles and navigate through an off-road test track, emulating the capabilities of a full size 4×4 vehicle.

The global Challenge is aimed at students aged 11-19 years old at Key Stage 3, 4 and 5. It’s open to out-of-school clubs such as STEM Clubs, scouts, cadets, guides and youth clubs. The challenge is split into three classes, Entry, Development and Professional, with the scope for all abilities, skill levels and ages to participate.

New for this season, the Entry Class is an introduction to vehicle design, aesthetics and concept modelling, with a focus on showcasing a cool, futuristic 4×4. The Development Class builds on the foundations established in the Entry Class with manufacturing, engineering and electronics incorporated into the vehicle development. The Professional Class, for experienced participants, challenges the teams to use more complex engineering and electronics, including tilt sensors, drive train, suspension, steering and wheels.

This education initiative provides teachers with the opportunity to run a real-life competition with their students where they follow the same design, manufacturing and testing processes automotive engineers follow from their initial business plan through to their car design.

Teams can enter a vehicle into a Regional Final to compete for a place at a National Final. The National Champions from each country that runs the Challenge are then invited to the Land Rover 4×4 in Schools World Final.

Mark Wemyss-Holden, national project manager, said, ‘We’re very excited about this coming season, particularly with the introduction of the Entry Class that gives students and teachers a taster of the Challenge, with low-cost and plenty of value, with its focus on engineering basics and cool car design. We’re looking forward to seeing plenty of new ideas and 4×4 designs of the future.’

For more details go to www.4x4inSchools.co.uk