Motion Applied at Le Mans 2025
Motion Applied at the Brooklands Innovation Academy: Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers
Paul Brandon, Principal Electrification Systems Engineer
Participating in the dragster activity for a second-year running was another fantastic experience. This year's participants picked up the dragster challenge quickly, from tweaking their Lego dragsters and testing and refining them for speed and distance. The hands-on nature of the task really brought STEM concepts to life, and we had some very inventive groups, which was encouraging to see their experimenting, problem-solving, teamwork – all skills required by engineers. Each group raced at the end to see which dragster went the fasted and furthest which had a fair share of friendly competition.
For over 35 years, Motion Applied has been at the forefront of developing advanced connectivity and control solutions for Formula 1 and other premium motorsport series. As a leading UK technology innovator, we are passionate about engaging with students and showcasing the groundbreaking work we do. It's crucial to give young people the opportunity to see how classroom learning translates into the world of motorsports.
As part of Motion Applied’s ongoing commitment to STEM education, we attended the Brooklands Innovation Academy. The Innovation Academy allows 400 secondary school students to interact with businesses through interactive workshops. This year, renowned physicist Brian Cox delivered a lecture, providing students with a glimpse into the world of STEM. This event has provided an excellent opportunity for us to engage directly with the local community, highlighting not only our cutting-edge work but also the talented individuals behind our innovations. This year marked another exciting chapter in our Elastic Energy Extravaganza, where students competed to build the fastest elastic band-powered dragster. Beyond being a fun activity, this competition allowed students to see firsthand how their classroom knowledge applies to Formula 1.
In small groups, students experimented with different materials to compete in the Lego dragster challenge. Each group had 20 minutes to devise their approach and see who could design the quickest car. The challenge, while seemingly simple, required students to experiment, build, and test using their existing physics knowledge. Throughout the day, students grappled with the problem and became increasingly creative as our STEM team taught them deeper concepts surrounding the physics used to optimise racing cars. This all helped them to extract 'the unfair advantage’.
Sarah Gartland, Head of Certification and ESG
It was brilliant to be part of the Brooklands STEM event, which we hosted amongst cars and motorbikes, and spend time with such enthusiastic young people, even if just for a short while during our dragster activity. Feedback from the students and teachers was positive and we had an active audience of a lot of Lego and F1 fans including young women which is so encouraging to see. I hope they use their flair for STEM in their future careers!
Z Li, Senior Hardware Test Design Engineer
Thank you to Brooklands Museum for hosting this event. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We've seen some innovative ideas coming from all backgrounds. We hope this workshop give them a glimpse into the field of engineering and inspire those who are interested to pursue this path in the future.
Throughout the day it was clear to see the excitement that this task brought on. In every session the students were engaged and competitive. It was thrilling to observe the students test their designs and reflect on how different modifications affect the speed distance the dragster can achieve. This activity was successful in introducing students to this exciting industry, encouraging more students to pursue STEM subjects moving forward.
A few of the students expressed a passion for sports cars and race cars which they have developed through Formula 1 and various TV shows. Activities like this help demonstrate how their classroom knowledge applies to the motorsport and automotive industries, as well as showcasing how possible it is to work in a world they may only see on TV or through social media.
Events like these not only showcase the exciting possibilities within the industry but also highlight the impact of STEM education on future careers. We look forward to continuing our engagement with young minds and providing a deeper understanding of the technological changes driving innovation.