This Challenge, which is for students aged 9 to 16, has been running in schools for 10 years and is probably the biggest schools maths challenge in the UK, with an estimated 150,000 students taking part each year.

The project is software based and relies on students, working together in small teams, applying a range of maths, engineering and science skills to set up a ‘virtual’ Grand Prix racing car – STEM by any other name! This car then competes in a race with ‘cars’ set up by their colleagues. Using actual circuit diagrams (this is definitely not a game!), they will need to calculate/measure the lengths of straights and angles of the bends to help them determine their race speeds for each feature.

Just for good measure, throw into the mix work involving aerodynamics, gears, suspension and engine tuning, and then use of the following, and you will have one very exciting project on your hands - and you don't have to know anything at all about cars!

Students involved in the challenge are eligible for the CREST Bronze Award. This means that provided you register your students with your CREST coordinator at the beginning of the project, and your students complete a CREST Bronze profile form throughout the challenge collating their worksheets and calculations, their hard work can be recognised with the CREST Awards.

If you would like to know how your school can join in the challenge, there is plenty of additional information on the Maths in Motion Challenge for schools website [1]. You can also contact Brian Richardson, the National Organiser, on info@mathschallenge.org.uk [2] or by calling him on 01487 741223. If you would like to register for the CREST Awards please contact your CREST Local Coordinator [3].