A TEAM of students from Tavistock College are hoping to sail their way through the national Schools Marine Challenge this July with support from local residents. The challenge, open to all schools, will see teams link with a technology-based company to design, build and race model boats in three classes — powered by solar energy, an electric motor and a petrol engine. The Tavistock team will be building a motorised boat from scratch but to do so the students need to raise money to buy the necessary equipment. Year 8 student Jade Phipps, the project manager of the group, said: 'Tavistock College is entering the Schools Marine Challenge for the first time and is looking for sponsors to fund the manufacture of our boats.' The challenge is a project which introduces students to the world of marine engineering, while giving a context for the delivery of technology-based subjects. Students will engineer their final entries to score points in the categories of design of hull and superstructure, design of power systems, teamwork and race day trials. The innovative scheme, which has been running since 2002, will culminate at Roadford Reservoir. The climax of the challenge is race day, an exciting event where all the schools involved, together with representatives from the marine industry, come together to see the teams' efforts. Judges from the industry assess the design of the craft and how the team has worked together. This is followed by the dynamic competition events of solar craft trials and powerboat racing. Race day closes with the awards ceremony. Trophies and prizes are awarded to the category winners and the Schools Marine Challenge trophy is awarded to the overall winner Anyone who would like to donate money to the group can contact Gary King, head of the DT department on 01822 614231 or visit the school's website http://www.tavistockcollege.devon.sch.uk">www.tavistockcollege.devon.sch.uk and follow the necessary links.
