At this years Harper Adams Challenge, we were delighted to welcome back Paula Gwinnett, Senior Lecturer, Placement Manager (Engineering) at Harper Adams University, JCB Academy trustee and former head of The JCB Academy Sixth Form. Paula came to represent Harper Adams University as one of the judges for the competition along with the academy’s Principal, Mrs McGuirk, and Post-16 Vice Principal, Mr Greene. The final consist of learners presenting to the judging panel and driving their RC car over a unique obstacle course whilst undertaking a serious of checks and challenges.
Congratulations to this years Y9 winners, Daisy Gallimore, Charlie Lear, Matthew Pegg and Sean Halligan, who all received an Amazon gift voucher.
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- One of the RC cars
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- The winning team presenting to the judging panel
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- The winning team with Paula Gwinnett
The Harper Adams Challenge – Overview
New Year 9 students at The JCB Academy kick off their engineering education with a one-week residential trip to Harper Adams University in Shropshire. This trip serves as an introduction to the “Harper Adams Challenge,” an engineering project that continues at the academy for the next six months.
The challenge involves designing and building a radio-controlled (RC) car and putting it through a series of checks and an obstacle course. Learners start by constructing the chassis using detailed drawings and components, including MDF, wheels, a motor, and a battery pack. The finishing touch is adding the vacuum-formed body using the academy’s workshop machines.
The car is constantly tested to ensure it is running okay, and then tested on the purpose-built obstacle course. Learners fine-tune their vehicles, customizing them with decorations and even lights powered by the battery.
