Westwood Academy Award

                                      Helping local schools to make their mark in Space

The Rotary club of Kenilworth is supporting the students of the Westwood Academy, Kenilworth Multi Academy Trust by helping in the goal of competing against other schools around the globe to design a manpowered moon rover. The school is part of Kenilworth School Trust Group which includes the Kenilworth and Westwood 6th forms.

 A team of students from the Westwood Academy School in Coventry is gearing up to represent the UK in NASA’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge, to be held at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Centre in Alabama next April.

The competition will see 75 schools, colleges, and universities from around the world showcase their designs, and the     “Chippy Chips” are determined to make their mark. The school is one of only two schools in Europe to be chosen to participate

Led by passionate science teacher James Suther, who runs the school's space, rocket, and robot club, the students will spend a year building their vehicle. James, who is deeply enthusiastic about space, hopes the project will foster teamwork and help students appreciate the value of science. "You get to have a lot of fun," he said, emphasizing the hands-on learning experience.                                                                      

Students Nathan and Gargi, both members of the team, explained that they joined for the opportunity to make their families proud and take part in something exciting beyond regular studies. With the challenge culminating in a presentation at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Centre in Alabama next April, the “Chippy Chips” team is eager to put their skills to the test in front of experts.

To enable their participation the club is helping to fund some of their out of pocket expenses of sending representatives of the team to Alabama in order to participate in the final selections. This is based on the activity providing an intimate view of science projects, close integration of the schools and an opportunity to take put them on the international map.

    Their unusual team name—"Chippy Chips." A lighthearted choice, inspired by stereotypically British culture and an internet trend involving Chelsea footballer Cole Palmer, has captured attention as the team prepares to design the moon buggy.

                                                                  “Watch this Space”