James Launches STEM Challenge

NEWS

James Launches STEM Challenge

James Cracknell launched a new challenge designed to inspire the next generation of British scientists and engineers...

After his two Olympic gold medals, years of entertaining public and corporate speaking events and countless successful extreme adventures, STEMNET, Adidas and LOCOG viewed James Cracknell as the perfect person to launch the STEM Challenge. The challenge invites teams of 11 to 14 year olds from secondary schools around the UK to design gloves for rowing, canoeing or sailing with the winning glove design having the chance to make it to the prototype stage with Adidas and potentially be worn by athletes at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To introduce the challenge, James took students from Burnham Grammar and Burnham Upper schools out in rowing boats on Eton Dorney Lake, Windsor - the venue for the Rowing, Paralympic Rowing and Canoe Sprint events at London 2012 - where he briefed them on his winning technique and what they will need to think about when designing their gloves.

Being the holder of a Masters Degree in Sports Science, an accomplished author and a double Olympic champion, James is all too aware of the importance of every one-hundredth of a second in an Olympic final race. Therefore, he was in prime position to advise pupils on aerodynamics, grip and durability whilst encouraging them to think about how to make the gloves waterproof without enveloping the hands in sweat and how to protect against painful calluses and blisters typically experienced by himself and all seasoned rowers.

James said "I have always been intrigued by how the body works and my knowledge of science has definitely helped me to achieve success and further my sporting career. STEM subjects have a massive impact on achievement in sport and this new challenge provides a great opportunity for young people to be inspired by London 2012 while putting their science, technology, engineering and mathematical skills into practice."

The Adidas glove challenge is now under way and runs until Sunday 25 April. Teams taking part must register by Monday 22 March 2010. Find out more about the challenges by visiting www.stemchallenges.net