Published on January 20, 2026
Acceleration in Action: KS3 Outreach
Diving into our work with KS3 students to ignite passion for STEM.
What an incredible day for STEM education! Our Novara Racing team recently had the privilege of hosting an exhilarating outreach program with enthusiastic KS3 students, diving deep into the fascinating world of physics and racing. The turnout was phenomenal, showcasing a real hunger for hands-on learning and scientific discovery!
Our session centred around the fundamental principle of Newton’s Second Law: F=ma (Force = mass x acceleration). But this wasn’t just a textbook lesson! We transformed theoretical concepts into practical, engaging activities that brought physics to life.
Students worked in groups, applying their newfound knowledge to a series of experiments designed to explore acceleration and its relationship with mass and time. They built and tested their own mini-vehicles, meticulously measuring how different masses affected their acceleration and the time it took to cover a set distance.
It was fantastic to see the students embracing practical and lab skills. From setting up experiments to collecting data and analysing results, they demonstrated impressive teamwork and a keen eye for detail. The air was buzzing with excitement as they observed their creations in action, drawing direct connections between their efforts and the physical outcomes.
The session culminated in a critical evaluation phase where students discussed their key findings, identified patterns, and articulated their conclusions. They expertly answered questions, demonstrating a clear understanding of how force, mass, and acceleration intertwine in the real world - particularly in the context of racing!
Beyond the classroom impact, this outreach initiative was an incredibly rewarding experience for the entire Novara Racing team. Stepping away from our own workshop to mentor such a bright group of KS3 students allowed us to refine our communication skills and see our engineering challenges through a fresh perspective. There is nothing quite like the “lightbulb moment” on a student’s face to remind us why we fell in love with STEM in the first place; it’s a powerful motivator that has refuelled our passion for the upcoming season. Building these community links isn’t just about teaching physics—it’s about developing as a cohesive team and inspiring the next generation of engineers who might one day be sitting in our seats.
