Ready To Launch: Military Inspiring Forces' Next Tech Generation

The Army, Navy and RAF have been called in to help inspire schoolchildren to take up STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.

The Royal Corps of Signals have paired with Race For The Line project in a bid to engage the next generation as part of the year of engineering.

Soldiers and schoolchildren will undertake the task of building the fastest foam rocket car.

Though, before the soldiers go into classroom across Scotland, they have been brushing up on their own skills.

One of those involved is Warrant Officer Class 2, Billy Henderson of 32 Signal Regiment, he explained how encouraging students to study STEM subjects can help the forces:

“The kids doing it just now at the schools are the potential future soldiers of our time. The engineering opportunities within the military are second to none.”

He added: “It [this project] allows the schoolchildren to build a car and be involved in a project that the military is involved in.”

The troops will work with the pupils over the next few weeks to help test their rocket cars in time trials – where they will compete for a place in the national final.

The top three fastest teams will be the overall winners of the national competition and receive a cash prize for their schools.

However, the top team will win a trip to watch the Bloodhound team, the people behind the British supersonic land vehicle, launch a real rocket in Newquay.