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Hovercraft Workshop

Students work in small teams using their STEM skills to build and modify a small hovercraft. The session ends with an exciting race-off!

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Overview

Glide into STEM with this hands-on engineering challenge! Students design, build, and race their own working hovercrafts, exploring the principles of forces, friction, and Newton’s Laws of motion in a dynamic, competitive format.

After an introduction to the science behind hovercraft technology, students will work in small teams to construct their hovercraft to a fixed design. They’ll test performance, make improvements using different components.

The experience culminates in a high-energy race-off, where teams compete to see whose hovercraft glides the fastest across the floor. 

Wonderstruck highlight links to the curriculum and how this ties in with opportunities in STEM industries throughout the delivery of their workshops and shows.

Duration and capacity

Between 2-3 hours for up to 150 participants.

Cost and location

Starts at £650 + VAT.

Available in England and Wales.

 

Details

Curriculum links
  • Physics: Electricity and electromagnetism
  • Physics: Motion and forces
  • Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves: Electricity
  • Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves: Forces
  • Physics: Electricity
  • Physics: Forces
  • Sciences - Forces and energy: Using electricity
  • Technology & design - Control: Incorporate control systems in products
  • Sciences - Forces and energy: Forces and energy transfer
Group size
Whole year group
Participation level
Hands-on
Duration
Half day
Cost
Cost applies
Location
In-school
  • England
  • Wales

Learning outcomes

  • Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
  • Attainment and progress
  • Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
  • Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering

Frameworks

EqualEx

  • Introduce and Inspire

Essential skills

The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:

  • Problem solving - Finding solutions to challenges
  • Teamwork - Working cooperatively with others to achieve a shared goal

Enrichment framework

  • 5 - An accessible and engagement enrichment offer
  • 7 - An outcomes-focused enrichment offer

How to book

Check availability at your school first