BUDDING scientists were given a taste of how their school lessons translate to the world of work when they took up a challenge to design a horsebox for a Ford Transit van chassis.

The challenge was set up by Eastleigh-based education and training group Solent Skill Quest in partnership with Fair Oak Junior School and Ford.

Part of the project for the 30 youngsters, aged nine and ten, involved spending a day at the Ford Partnership Centre in Swaythling, Southampton.

The children also took part in a Transit parts quiz and were then asked to consider materials which would be suitable for their project and to start the process of designing the horsebox using Transit van brochures to research accurate measurements.

Teacher Cathy Cojeen-Warrington said: "Pupils used a wide range of curriculum subjects to complete the project.

"Science was covered with the investigation of materials, forces, motion and aerodynamics, ICT was used when looking at websites and maths came into play when considering dimensions and making measurements."

Solent Skill Quest project co-ordinator Pat Brady said: "The aim of the project from our point of view was to promote engineering and industry to bright young people.

"We hope their horizons will be widened when it comes to making career choices."

Youngsters who completed the project were awarded certificates for their efforts by Ford engineer Greg Ward who said: "I was amazed by the enthusiasm of the pupils and the high standard of their designs. They can come and work for me anytime."