Grange Technology College students, from left, Mohammed Haleem, Billy Adams and Imran Khan with Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation Vice Chairman Richard Stroud
Physics and maths students at a Bradford college have been aiming for the sky, thanks to a grant from the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation.
The A-level students at Grange Technology College in Haycliffe Lane built a rocket with funds from the Foundation so that they could take part in the UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge.
They were challenged to build a rocket which could carry two eggs to 800 feet and land safely, within 43 seconds.
The challenge was not without its setbacks and the first attempt saw the rocket damaged on its way to the launch, with subsequent attempts postponed by exams and then by the abnormal summer weather.
Science teacher Mary Williamson said: “It has been a really great experience for the students. They have experienced all the highs and lows of completing a challenging teamwork project and have developed their problem solving, communication and practical skills no end.
“We have been hoping the weather would improve before the end of the school year so that we could test but in the meantime we have been working on modifications so that the rocket can take photos of earth during its flight.”
Despite the lack of suitable launch weather, the project will not be abandoned, with plans to attempt a launch after the summer holidays.
Foundation Vice Chairman Richard Stroud said: “We are delighted to have been able to fund a project that has really captured the imaginations of the students involved as well as offering a practical demonstration of the theories they have been studying.”