Building Beyond Borders: A Cross-Continental STEM Journey in Darlington and Tashkent
Building Beyond Borders: A Cross-Continental STEM Journey in Darlington and Tashkent
In a heartwarming and truly unique STEM project, children from two different corners of the world - West Park School in Darlington, England, and Children’s Home 22 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan - came together for a one-of-a-kind engineering challenge.
The task? To build a Greenpower Goblin Kart, a single-seater electric racing car, at both locations simultaneously, while overcoming language barriers, time zones, and cultural differences.
With the support of Cummins, a global technology leader, the project took shape. Cummins' involvement began through its connection with Rudmash Export Service, their partner in Uzbekistan, which facilitated the introduction between the UK school and the Uzbek orphanage. This support made it possible for the children to collaborate and share their learning experiences across continents.
Under the guidance of dedicated external mentors, STEM ambassadors, and Cummins' Amit Kumar, the children in both countries embarked on an exciting journey of collaboration and innovation.
Each build session wasn’t just about assembling car parts; it included STEM modules focused on electricity, real-life car demonstrations, and hands-on learning that connected the theory to practical applications. In order to complete this project, the children had to learn to think like engineers!
One of the most unique aspects of the project was the involvement of a professional interpreter who helped bridge the language gap between the two groups of young engineers. Through her, the children could speak to one another, share their experiences, and work together - despite the four-hour time difference.
This not only made the project more exciting but also introduced the children to the idea that language and distance are just hurdles to overcome, not barriers to stop them.
The goal was simple: complete the build of the Greenpower Goblin Car, but the project’s focus extended far beyond that. It was about breaking down stereotypes, fostering collaboration between intercontinental teams, and showing these young students that STEM is a global language that anyone can speak.
The children worked closely, exchanging ideas and solving problems together, learning valuable lessons not only about engineering but also about teamwork and overcoming barriers together.
Participants included 15 Year 5/6 students from West Park Primary School, led by teacher Mr. David Fraser, and 10 children from Children’s Home 22, under the guidance of Ms. Djuraeva Dilfuza Muradjanovna.
The teams, with the help of mentors like Richard Scott, Laura Spencer, Shannon Reed, and Amit Kumar, faced numerous challenges, especially technical ones. The children learned to use mechanical and electrical tools, understand STEM concepts like motors, friction, and pressure, and design lightweight, efficient car bodies.
Cummins' ongoing involvement, including providing technical expertise and mentoring through its Greenpower Education Trust partnerships, helped to ensure the project was a success.
What made the project even more complex and exciting was the fact that the Goblin Kart involves several intricate systems, like steering, brakes, and electric wiring. One wrong connection, and the car wouldn’t run, or worse, the battery would drain too quickly!
The students had to think like engineers, brainstorming ways to extend the car’s driving range without being able to recharge the battery during the race.
With all these challenges, the excitement on both ends was high! Children in both Darlington and Tashkent embraced the opportunity to collaborate across continents and build something tangible as a result of their teamwork and dedication.
Feedback from the mentors was overwhelmingly positive. One STEM Ambassador reflected, “This project has been a remarkable experience. Watching the children from two very different parts of the world come together to build their cars, overcoming language barriers and time differences, was incredibly inspiring.”
The children were equally enthusiastic, with many expressing how cool it was to work with others from a different country.
Following the success of the project, the external mentors facilitated an F24 project, bringing a more advanced electric car kit to the orphanage in Uzbekistan, with the aim to involve older children in even more STEM projects, connecting them with UK secondary schools and expanding the collaboration further.
This innovative project is paving the way for a more inclusive and global STEM education experience. The future looks bright as this cross-continental collaboration continues to inspire young engineers and foster a love for STEM around the world.
Think you have what it takes to become a STEM Ambassador? Find out more and get involved here: https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors/become-a-stem-ambassador.