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Combining his ambassador role with his holidays, Christopher has recently returned from another visit to Paarl in Western Cape. There, he liaised with the South African Bloodhound Education Team, which includes Dave Rowley, Wendy Maxwell and new recruit, Hettie Streuders.
Chris found himself eagerly anticipated at no less than eight schools this time. Armed with Bloodhound Education toolkits, slides, videos and materials for balloon-car workshops he engaged with a staggering 3,000+ school students.
Chris said: “I want to show students how exciting science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) can be. The schools vary enormously, but I am always struck by the unbridled enthusiasm and open-minded attitude to STEM subjects displayed by all the people in the schools I visit.
At Parel Vallei High School, Chris was asked to address the entire cohort of 1,200 learners at once. The Principal was impressed that every pupil paid avid attention throughout.
Chris noted: “For the first time in my experience of visiting schools one of the boys was able to explain how a jet engine worked – so I invited him up on the stage with three others to demonstrate the principle to the whole school. This always goes down well!
After another presentation, he was invited to join a special meal laid on by students to thank their teachers for all their hard work that term.
Chris returned to Our Lady Help of Christians RC Primary, a school he visited last year. At that time, the Principal, Mr Brian, had bought a new projector for the event, but it had not been possible to get it working in time. This year, however, all was in good order. Mr Brian was very keen for Chris to present again, and also to run balloon-car workshops, which he did for 78 students, with the help of his wife, Ann. Chris was struck by the students’ intense, silent concentration and application.
He said: “This was a most rewarding couple of days spent with children with limited means, but fantastic energy for life! I hope to return next year to visit the next set of Grade 7 students.
In every place Chris visited, he was met with enthusiasm from learners, their teachers and principals, and even their family members, who helped facilitate the events. Some have even been inspired to roll out further activities connected with Bloodhound and its world land speed record attempt.
Lu-Adri Groenewald, a Grade 10 student from Bloemnof Girls High School, Stellenbosch, said: “This morning’s presentation was absolutely amazing! I’ve never really been interested in maths or science at all. I love being creative, working in groups and have been struggling to find a purpose in the world. Today you opened my eyes. I think that I have found a job that will keep me going and inspire other people as well. Thank you!”
A Grade 8 student from Helderberg High School, Michael J van Rensburg, said: “A lot of us forget what this is really for and that would be to show the world what science and engineering are capable of and to inspire young minds for the future of innovation and exploration.”
Chris said: “Combining my ambassador role with a holiday is incredibly rewarding. People in South Africa have embraced the Bloodhound project but the team there needs all the help it can get to spread the word about Bloodhound and STEM. I urge anybody with the opportunity to go to South Africa to support the project and visit some schools.”
Find out more about the Bloodhound project.
Find out how to become a Bloodhound ambassador.