Check out the incredible car built by primary school youngsters

Marsden Primary School pupils who took part in the engineering project.

Pupils at Marsden Primary School put their skills to the test when they were tasked with making a working vehicle for the Greenpower Engineering Project.

The project saw the pupils from Year 5 and Year 6 working with an expert in the field to create a moving car.

Twelve pupils, aged from nine to 11, were chosen to be a part of the school’s engineering group, the Marsden Engineers, which holds weekly sessions after school.

The project was initiated by the Greenpower Educational Trust, which provided the school with an ambassador - local engineer Mike Lambert - who guided the children and their teacher, Michael O’Brien in the building process.

Pupils built the car, which they named the Marsden Bullet, by constructing the chassis, designing and then creating cardboard templates for the final bodywork construction.

The team started the process 15 weeks ago, with the project cumulating in a competition against primary schools from across the region.

Around 40 schools took part in the event called the Greenpower Car Race which took place on the Newcastle Quayside.

It saw the young team take part in a race in the car that they had made.

Although they did not win the competition, the project was successful in helping to raise their aspirations and develop their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and maths.

The whole programme, costing in the region of £2,000, was sponsored by the Reece Foundation, the Rotary Club of Sunderland and the school, which is based in Mill Lane, Whitburn.

Marsden Primary School teacher Michael O’Brien, who led the project along with engineer Mike Lambert, said he was very proud of the youngsters

He said: “The boys and girls took the construction and mechanical elements of the project very well.

“Test-driving the car was particularly exciting for the team.

“I am very proud of the group, especially on the race day, where they worked as a team and followed all of the health and safety rules and expectations.

“The children had a fantastic day and thoroughly enjoyed themselves- there are some budding Jenson Buttons and Lewis Hamiltons.”