As it is very important for the RIC and the BRP Powertrain GmbH & Co to be part of technical awareness programs in the region of Wels we submitted a proposal within the framework programe Generation Innovation – Regions and got a funding for the project Kart 4 U. In the past 12 months the go kart was the starting point of a playful, effective and collaborative technical experience. The kids could gain mathematical and manual basic knowledge and could try it directly on the go kart. Children and pupils between 4 and 16 years old had the chance to get an insight into the world of Technology and BRP-Powertrain. During the whole project the kids were accompanied by BRP-Powertrain employees, apprentices and their teachers.

The general goal of the project was to excite the youngest for Technology and Science.


Overview

"Tell me and I will forget it. Show me and I will remember me. Let me try it and I will keep it." (Konfuzius)

The project was officially started on the 27^th of January 2009 at the University of Applied Sciences in Wels.

After kick-off one we directly went to the schools for the kick-offs two. In these sessions we informed the participating pupils and teachers about the project, its processes, goals and highlights. In the course of the kick offs two we also organized the handover of the physical experience box to the playschool Gunskirchen and the technic box to the primary school Gunskirchen.

Mechatronics for Teachers
On the 4^th and 5^th of February 2009 we invited all teachers part of the project to BRP-Powertrain and gave them an insight into the world of BRP-Powertrain and the apprenctice shop. On the first day the teachers got a plant tour, a theoretical training held by the trainers of the BRP-Powertrain apprentice shop and on the second day they all had the chance to gain practical experience directly in the apprentice shop. Under the guidance of experienced BRP-Powertrain employees they had to construct their own little go kart.

The training was important for the teachers because after that, they could use the information/papers given for their preparation phases at school. This training was extremely successful. Everybody involved was satisfied and very enthusiastic.

In April 2009 we started the workshops at BRP-Powertrain/RIC.

Workshop playschool and primary school
The goal was to show the world of BRP-Powertrain / of Technology and Sciences in a very playful manner. The kids had to change tires, to measure the tire pressure, exercises on the electrical switchboard and much more. The children of the playschool could watch and learn of the elder ones. They assisted the pupils of the primary school. The highlight of this afternoon was the Technic quiz. The kids had to show what they have learned in the preparation phases at school. It was funny and the kids liked it. At the end we offered something to eat and drink and everybody left the RIC satisfied.

Workshop secondary modern school and technical college
As we had a lot of people in the higher schools we organized more than one workshop. The challenge for the pupils of the secondary / Technical schools was to construct their own electric driven go kart. After construction the big question was – Are the go karts really driving?
We tested each electric driven go kart at the end of the workshop and yes, they were driving! The pupils spent an exciting day at the BRP-Powertrain apprentice shop and could gain a lot of practical experience.

Final event November 2009
As we wanted to present the results of the project to the public we organized an event on the 26^th of November 2009. It took place in the RIC in Gunskirchen. We wanted to surprise and inspire the kids one last time so we organized different challenges per school and the kids had the chance to win various prizes. The afternoon was full of action and very funny. The parents and friends could also visit the RIC and see what their youngsters/friends did in the last months.

Visit of Professor Rudolf Taschner
On December 4^th, 2009 Professor Rudolf Taschner, scientist of the year 2004, visited the RIC in Gunskirchen and spoke about "Archimedes, Mathematicians and Engineers". 80 pupils and teachers were listening.

Go Kart driving on December 18th, 2009
The winners of the challenges between secondary modern school and technical college at the final event had the opportunity to drive a real go kart and against each other at the Welser indoor kart track . The girls have been quite good racers and the boys really had to fight.


The project was complete success and the parties involved enjoyed it. A follow up project is already in the pipline.