Racetrack action lures keen students

It's no surprise that initiatives like the minibike and grass kart challenges are a big hit with engineering students in high schools around the country.

Not only do they earn unit standards in these projects, they learn valuable skills, get tangible results, win prizes - and have a lot of fun.

Schools are already gearing up for two events this October - the Minibikes Challenge, at Manfeild Raceway in Feilding, and the Otago Southland Grass Kart Challenge.

Competenz, through its school-based Tools4Work programme, is working closely with the event organisers to encourage more young people to take up a career in the trades.

Teachers in more than 200 schools nationwide are using the Tools4Work resource packs to help students achieve credits towards the National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 2).

For the Minibikes Challenge, students reverse engineer a standardised kitset bike to meet industry-based Level 2 unit standards. If they meet the regulations, they're eligible to race.

Last year's inaugural event attracted students from five schools and was such a success that more than 20 schools have signed up this year. The organisers, teachers Roger Emmerson (Feilding High School), Richard Dawson (Central Hawkes Bay College) and Ross McDonald (Lytton High School), say that means more work for them - but the students' enthusiasm makes it worthwhile.

"It's really got them fired up," says Roger Emmerson. "We've had a huge increase in students signing up for engineering this year, and a lot were inspired by the challenge. Last year's contestants were so keen they were queuing up for the workshops in their lunch breaks.

"Firms like Trade Tools and Weldwell New Zealand have already offered support, and we'd like to hear from others keen to help."

In the Grass Kart Challenge, students work in teams to build a motorised grass kart that they test against those of other budding engineers from the region. Entries are judged on performance, construction, appearance and record keeping.

Competenz National Moderator for Schools Brian Lane says teachers find combining the Tools4Work resources with events like these is a great way to inspire students.

"What is particularly encouraging is that these initiatives attract high calibre students to mechanical engineering. They are talented and motivated, and love the sense of purpose and achievement that comes from building and racing their own machines."

For Minikikes Challenge details contact Roger Emmerson, m 027 296 8373, e This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For Grass Kart Challenge details, go to www.grasskartchallenge.co.nz.

For Tools4Work details, contact Brian Lane, ph 09 539 9817, m 027 2437367, e This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .