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Pupils Challenged to Design Cars

On Tuesday 2nd December, Walsall College’s Green Lane campus played host to an Engineering competition for pupils from surrounding schools.

The Leon Jessel Memorial Challenge is an annual event facilitated by the Walsall Education Business Partnership and sponsored by the Walsall Chamber of Commerce.

The annual challenge is named after the late Leon Jessel, a member of the Chamber of Commerce who had been extremely keen on promoting science and engineering to young people.

40 pupils from 5 local schools had the thought provoking challenge of designing and making a model car powered by alternative energy, using only the parts made available to them on the day.

The students then had a ‘race off’ and the best car was selected by a team of judges from Walsall College’s Engineering Department and the Walsall Chamber of Commerce for distance covered, design, engineering skills and teamwork displayed throughout the challenge.

The winning team was from St Francis of Assisi College who were presented with their trophies and cash prizes by John Murray, President of the Walsall Chamber of Commerce.

Alex Reynolds from Walsall College’s Engineering Department said, “The challenge was an excellent way of introducing Engineering to school students and showing them how fun it can be. It gave those students with an interest in the subject a chance to get some real hands on experience, as well as giving them a taste of college life”.


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