Hamish Mitchell-Wood (16), of Dunedin, makes final
adjustments on Thursday to a grass racing kart he built at
the Otago Polytechnic. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
A group of Otago Polytechnic students part of a
government scheme for teens who have left school early are
relishing the opportunity to test three grass karts they built
from scratch, at a championship in Twizel this weekend.
The 18 Youth Guarantee Scheme students have built three grass
karts as part of an Otago Polytechnic course which teaches
them engineering-based skills.
Split into three teams of six, the students have built and
decorated their karts from the ground up and are set to test
their handiwork at the Southern Annual Grass Kart Challenge
in Twizel, this weekend.
The competition, which is open to secondary schools,
polytechnics and institutes of technology in the South
Island, is split in to three race categories: slalom, sprint
and relay.
Participants must deliver a presentation about their karts to
of a panel of judges.
Otago Polytechnic engineering trades lecturer Nick Moss said
competing in the event was "incredibly worthwhile" for the
students.
"It really does build their confidence ...
"These are people who don't like sitting in a classroom. They
enjoy making things happen and learning on their feet," Mr
Moss said.
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