Chronicle Country pupils will learn about engineering as they hear about a car which is being designed break the land speed record.
A model of the supersonic Bloodhound SSC will be on display at Smiths High Performance in Biggleswade.
Engineers hope that the Bloodhound will reach speeds of more than 1,000mph – and youngsters from St Andrew’s Lower School in Biggleswade and St Swithun’s Lower School in Sandy will learn about its design and development.
The makers of the Bloodhound are keen to engage with schools to increase interest and understanding of engineering.
Smiths, based at the Stratton Business Park, are only too happy to involve pupils.
Business development manager at Smiths Paul Czorny said: “We supply parts to all of the Formula 1 teams and we also work closely with Cosworth, who are providing the engine for the Bloodhound SSC.
“The team behind the project really want to encourage interest in engineering and to bring about the engineers of the future.
“As such we were keen to contact schools in the area and we have a group of 15 pupils coming down from two schools on the day.”
Although the car on display will be a demonstration model the firm will be organising a variety of activities for pupils to take part in.
Paul added: “They will be making their own mini balloon cars and racing them.
“When the races are complete we will make a note of the winners’ names and they will be painted on the fin of the actual Bloodhound car.”
There will also be the opportunity for children to learn about the background of the project and about the inner workings of the car.
Paul said: “We will be explaining how the car works and what happens as it goes through the development process and how it should eventually exceed 1,000mph.
“The children will also be able to touch the car and watch a presentation about how the project came about.”
The Bloodhound SSC will aim to break the previous land speed record set by British driver Andy Green, who exceeded 760mph in a ThrustSSC car in 1997.
On that occasion the record was broken in the Black Rock Dessert in Nevada, but engineers hope to exceed 1,000 mph in the Bloodhound on the Hakskeen Pan in South Africa next year.
For more information see www.bloodhoundssc.com