Norwich High to compete in Greenpower F24 racing series

Posted on 29th April 2021

Team of students to design, build and race their own electric car.

From this term, Fifth and Sixth Form students will have the fantastic opportunity to be part of Norwich High School for Girls’ very own Greenpower Formula 24 (F24) racing team.

Using and developing their love of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), the team of girls will be challenged to design, build and race their own electric race car to comply with technical and sporting regulations set out by Greenpower Education Trust – a UK based charity with an outstanding track record in kick starting careers in engineering.

The team will participate in the Greenpower racing series which will take them to top racing circuits throughout the country to compete against thousands of other students from across the globe.

Mr Hyland (Head of Science and Head of Physics) and Mr Smith (Head of Product Design), who have been overseeing the project, were thrilled to receive the F24 kit car before the Easter break.

Gary continued: “We were very fortunate to have received a generous private donation, plus funding from the JP Blanch Foundation Fund, for this exciting project to go ahead.”

Mr Ed Smith added: “At the Norwich High Inspiring Females Summit in 2019, I asked Dr Stephanie Hare, a researcher and broadcaster working across technology and politics, what can men do to bridge the male/female gap in STEM careers. She said: ‘Make space for them, invite and encourage them, prompt and give leadership opportunities, stand up for them.’ I hope that this new opportunity goes some way to doing just that, and all the students that take part in the future.”

After the Easter break, students across the Fifth and Sixth Form submitted a write up (100-150 words) explaining why they would like to be involved with this project. Mr Smith and Mr Hyland received some great entries from students explaining why they would be suitable for the team, including this from Zara Goodwin (Year 9):

“I am really interested in STEM and F1. I would like to take part in F24 to get a real life experience of engineering and possibly the racing side of things. As a child I would always be excited to help my uncle (a mechanic) rebuild his tractor, and I have considered in the past having a job with engineering, and this would help give me more options for the future.”

Seven students applied, and the team has now been created. Work has commenced on the design and construction of the race car this week.

Head Miss Sefton commented: “I am delighted that Mr Smith and Mr Hyland took this fantastic opportunity on board and have quickly inspired the girls to take part.

The team

(5th) Alicia Harwood, Daisy Grantham, Eliza Williams-Mitchell, Maddy Harries, Rhianna Holloway, Zara Goodwin, Zara Hunter, (6th) Maddy Gibbs.

E.Smith, G.Hyland, T.Hood, A.Jones.

Who are Greenpower Education Trust and what is Formula 24?

Greenpower Education Trust is a UK based charity with an outstanding track record in kick starting careers in engineering. The charity helps unlock potential and spark enthusiasm for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) through the excitement of motorsport.

Formula 24 aims to inspire young people to become engineers by presenting the industry as an interesting and relevant career choice. The main idea is for teams of students to build and race their own electric powered race car at top racing circuits around the country such as Goodwood.

Find out more about the F24 programme at www.greenpower.co.uk