FAQs

Below, you´ll find the answers to the most commonly asked questions by previous participants. If you have further questions please do contact us. 
 
What are the aims of the Challenge? 
To provide a challenge that:
1. is educational but which provides participants with the opportunity to experience an activity that is realistic and relevant to the operations within industry,
2. provides young people with an opportunity to learn and develop through participating in a hands-on practical experience,
3. provides an experience where young people can develop and embed the knowledge and skills later required to meeting specifications within the subjects of Design and Technology and Engineering,
4. enables young people to gain an understanding and awareness of what engineering involves and which encourages them to actively think about a career within engineering,
5. is motivating, exciting, challenging and fun for both the young people and adults who participate,
6. enables young people to be accredited for their achievements through schemes such as: CREST, ASDAN and the Duke of Edinburgh'S Award,
7. provides young people with the opportunity to work as a member of a team or independently to develop problem-solving tools and techniques,
8. integrates subject knowledge from key areas of the curriculum withint the wider agenda of: Work Related Learning, Enterprise Skills, Key Skills and personal development,
9. enables engineers to act as role models and share their engineering knowledge, expertise, enthusiasm and commitment with young people.
10. enables engineers to see their areas of specialism from a different perspective, to encourage them to think 'outside the box'.

How much does it cost to take part?
The registration fee is £60 for the educationAL establishment and the first team from that establishment. If additional teams are entered, they only pay £10 extra each. Each organisation must purchase radio control equipment, which includes four items that all teams must have so that everyone has a fair start. The cost of the radio control equipment is around £130. The budget for each team over and above the registration fee and radio control equipment is £175.

See the costing information sheet for more information.

Teams are encouraged to make as much as possible themselves. If this is not practical, they are encouraged to gain parts through sponsorship or recycling.

This year's Challenge will be looking specifically for students to demonstrate awareness of environmental challenges.
 
How does TrackNAVCHALLENGE fit into the curriculum?
It's designed to be delivered during lesson time or in an after-school club. To support delivery during lesson time, Land Rover has worked with OCR and AQA to map the Challenge against their Design and Technology, Manufacturing and Engineering specifications listed below.

• OCR GCSE Double Award Engineering
• OCR GCSE Double Award Manufacturing
• OCR GCSE Design and Technology – Systems and Control Technology
• OCR GCSE Design and Technology – Resistant Materials
• OCR GCSE Design and Technology – Electronic Products
• OCR GCSE Design and Technology – Graphic Products
• OCR GCSE Design and Technology – Product Design

• AQA GCSE Double Award Engineering
• AQA GCSE Design and Technology – Systems and Control Technology
• AQA GCSE Design and Technology – Resistant Materials
• AQA GCSE Design and Technology – Product Design
• AQA GCSE Design and Technology – Graphic Products
• AQA GCSE Design and Technology – Electronic Products

In addition, TrackNAVCHALLENGE has been mapped against the Work Related Learning and Enterprise agendas as well as Key Skills. Copies of the relevant specifications will be sent to educational establishments when they register.

SQA recognises that TrackNAVCHALLENGE provides students studying Product Design and Technological Studies with a sound practical project that will help them develop the knowledge, skills and experience needed within these subjects.

TrackNAVCHALLENGE also supports the wider agenda within 'A Curriculum for Excellence' and core skills.

As extra support, we´ve made many teaching materials available to download. More will follow over the next few months.

See the support and materials 
 
What is the process my team will follow?
Over the course of an academic year (or two years if you choose this option), the students follow the process below.

• Research the project
• Design a vehicle
• Manufacture the vehicle
• Test and evaluate the vehicle
• Go head-to-head at competition stage
 
 
What will my team learn from TrackNAVCHALLENGE?
There are many learning opportunities which TrackNAVCHALLENGE can offer your students. Here are just some:

• Learn about analysing a client design brief, applying scientific principles and developing and communicating a design solution
• Learn to select suitable material, parts and components for a product and use processes, tools and equipment required to manufacture an engineered product
• Investigate the impact of ICT in engineering
• Gain experience of teamwork
• Take responsibility for learning, using a plan and support from others to help meet targets
• Gain experience, knowledge and skills required in engineering
• Some teams will find this experience invaluable in preparation for Year 11 GCSE requirements
 
 
What support do Land Rover and their partners provide?
Throughout the TrackNAVCHALLENGE, Land Rover and partners will provide support for schools, colleges, scouts, guides and youth clubs through visits, email and via the telephone. More details will be provided once you´ve registered. 
 
Where will the Regional Heats and National Final be held?
Regional Heats will be held based upon the geographical location of participants. The National Final will be held at the Heritage Motor Museum in Gaydon because of its central location and transport links.
 
 
When will the Regional Heats and National Finals be held?
Regional Heats will take place during June 2009 and the National Final at the start of July 2009. Actual dates will be announced nearer the time. 
 
 
What´s the prize for the winners?
They´ll gain national recognition as a successful engineering team. The winners will also receive a prize, which will be announced nearer the time. The winners of the 2008/09 Challenge will enjoy an Extreme Experience day at Eastnor Castle, a Land Rover Mountain Bike for each member of the team and £3,000 for the supporting department to spend on capital equipment.