Swagelok Enables STEM Learning Opportunities

Swagelok Enables STEM Learning Opportunities

      

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You may recall from last year that we wrote about the Bloodhound Supersonic Car designed specifically to travel at speeds in excess of 1000mph, and challenge the current FIA World Land Speed Record. Read our article to learn more about the car and Swagelok’s involvement in the project here:

Swagelok Under Pressure: Launching into the Record Books

From Desert Plains to the Classroom

Swagelok’s sponsorship of the Bloodhound SSC – a team based in Bristol, England pursuing a 1000mph world land speed record attempt over the next two years – has enabled a Northeast Ohio school district to gain access to Bloodhound-themed science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs. Tony Parraman, Sponsor Liason with Bloodhound SSC, reflects on Swagelok’s STEM outreach efforts that blossomed this past spring: "The education side of the project is paramount. If we built the car and just went racing, but we didn’t inspire anybody, I don’t think the project would have the value that is has now."

New Levels of Learning

Hudson City School District has become the first school district in the United States to formally add Bloodhound lessons to curriculums. Swagelok approached Hudson Superintendent Phil Herman in 2015 to inquire about the districts interest in exploring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning content available through Swagelok’s two-year collaboration with and sponsorship of the Bloodhound project. Through a series of meetings and discussion, Hudson was onboard, pinpointing the fourth grade level as the ideal audience for piloting the Bloodhound-themed lessons.

Throughout the 2016-2017 school year, two teams of fourth-grade teachers have integrated Bloodhound lessons across a range of subjects: earth, physical and life sciences; physics; chemistry; language arts; social studies; and English. At the culmination of the school year, the students were treated to an event that perfectly capped their Bloodhound studies for the year. They designed, built and raced their own Bloodhound model rocket cars – another first for Bloodhound in the United States.

"The project-based learning gives relevance but it also doesn’t cap the learning, students can take it in lots of different directions. Versus if I give, for example, a science lab with a very predicted outcome and steps, they’re going to get just that," says Christina Wooley, PK-12 curriculum coordinator, Hudson City School District. Project-based learning supports a wide range of learning outcomes. Students are learning at a deeper level; they are making connections that we never had them make before such as persevering through trials, developing and refining their ideas and understanding mistakes as great learning opportunities. The problem solving skill development afforded by STEM learning is not only invaluable, it's inspiring.

"…if they can make a car that’s 1000mph, maybe I can make one when I’m older that’s 2000mph."

"…we can go even farther than what we think and dream about"

Swagelok’s Role on the Car

The Bloodhound SSC is 44 feet long and weighs 17,000 pounds. The car has three power plants: a Rolls-Royce EJ200 jet from a Eurofighter Typhoon; a cluster of Nammo hybrid rockets; and a 550bhp Supercharged Jaguar V8 engine that drives the rocket oxidizer pump. Between them, they generate 135,000 thrust horsepower, equivalent to 180 Formula 1 cars.

Swagelok components will be relied on to open air brake doors after the rocket car reaches its top speed and for final braking functionality below 200mph. Swagelok products will also play a vital role in the safety of the fueling system and re-fueling rig. Products on the car include 60 Series Ball Valves, RL Series Relief Valves, QC and QF Quick-Connects, tubing, gauges, hoses, and tube fittings from 1/8 inch to 2 inches. Want to learn more about Swagelok's collaboration with the Bloodhound project?

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