Robin James (Project Lead)
Science Leader at Exeter Road Primary School
Robin had the idea for this project while walking on Exmouth beach with his wife! He began working at Exeter Road two years before graduating from Rolle College, which used to be based in the town as part of the University of Plymouth. He’s taught at the school since 1997 and been its science leader since 2008.
In 2010-11 Robin led another project shortlisted for the Rolls-Royce Science Prize, which inspired children to design, build and test miniature greenhouses from materials that would otherwise be thrown away. This led to the construction of a full-size greenhouse made from panels of 9 CD cases, based on a design by three Year 3 girls. The project proved so innovative and successful as a way of promoting science and technology that Robin has come up with a project idea for Rolls-Royce every year since, so he’s thrilled this year to have got through once again to the final nine!
Robin embarked on a Masters course in 2012 in Science Education and Leadership through the National Science Learning Centre. In January 2013, he was invited onto the panel at the ASE conference debate in Reading. In January of this year, he became a fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust.
Rodney Battey
STEM Ambassador
Graduated with a degree in Natural Sciences concentrating on metallurgy. Spent 5 years at the RN Engineering College training naval engineer officers, and then joined a local authority technical college training mechanical engineering students at certificate, diploma and degree level.
Gained my Further Education teachers’ certificate and worked in middle India on a Government of India lecturer improvement project. My Master’s degree was in project evaluation in higher education. After twenty years in technical education I became a local authority education adviser and inspector.
February 11, 2014 at 5:54 pm
I like this progect
February 23, 2014 at 10:51 am
I like sand yachts because they go really fast using wind. They can go on land and sand.
February 24, 2014 at 7:44 am
I like making the sand yachts.
February 26, 2014 at 3:02 pm
why do you like making sand yachts
February 24, 2014 at 6:20 pm
I wish the project could never end.
February 24, 2014 at 6:49 pm
I liked sitting in the sand yachts and steering it.
February 24, 2014 at 6:56 pm
it was relly fun seeing the sandyacht.
February 26, 2014 at 2:57 pm
why was it really fun seeing the sandyachs
February 25, 2014 at 3:49 pm
When Tanya sat in the sandyachts I thought it was awesome
February 25, 2014 at 3:52 pm
I can not wait to make a sand yacht
February 26, 2014 at 2:14 pm
why do you what to make one?
February 25, 2014 at 4:24 pm
The seat was rubber and I liked steering it. It was fun.
February 25, 2014 at 5:42 pm
it was fun riding the on sand yacht
February 26, 2014 at 1:36 pm
Mr Underwood
I really enjoyed teaching the children about google sketchup, where they used different tools to make a 3D model of a boat.
February 26, 2014 at 2:04 pm
I loved siting in the snadyachts.
February 26, 2014 at 2:05 pm
we saw the champion racer in EXTER ROAD SCHOOL!
February 26, 2014 at 2:05 pm
I did not know there were telltails on sandyachts
February 26, 2014 at 2:05 pm
I found out that sandyacht go relly fast on sandMarten the sandyacht champien is relly cool.
February 26, 2014 at 2:06 pm
we maid sandyocs and the shape of my scure it luk laik a cait it was sar fanny and am spanish.
February 26, 2014 at 2:07 pm
I enjoyed looking at the pictures and seeing the chapion.
February 26, 2014 at 2:08 pm
I like fun with forecs moning
February 26, 2014 at 2:09 pm
I realy liked the land yacht champion racer coming to are school and letting us sit in the sandyacht sand showing how they work. It was realy fun.
February 26, 2014 at 2:09 pm
I realy enjoyed playing on the sandyaughts and seeing the champ. Also i like the pictures on the web site. and the champ is verry cind.
February 26, 2014 at 2:10 pm
a four weel is faster then athree wheel one
February 26, 2014 at 2:11 pm
We made a sal on or sandyachts.
February 26, 2014 at 2:12 pm
I really enjoyed the sandyachts .
February 26, 2014 at 2:14 pm
I rely enjoyed the land yacht champin racer comig to are school
February 26, 2014 at 2:15 pm
I Like when a man was riding a sand yachts because he was riding it in our playground he was turning when he got to a turn.
February 26, 2014 at 2:15 pm
I liked making a sandyachts whith my freinds at Exeter road primery school its the best schooll i have ever been to .
February 26, 2014 at 2:16 pm
i enjoyed looking at the sand yachts.
February 26, 2014 at 2:16 pm
I loved sitting in the sandyachts.
February 26, 2014 at 2:19 pm
I ike the little yacht.
February 26, 2014 at 2:52 pm
it was really fun beacause i rode in one it was awsome
February 26, 2014 at 2:56 pm
I like stitting in the sandyacht.
February 26, 2014 at 2:58 pm
I like sand yachts because I like putting the pieces together.
February 26, 2014 at 2:59 pm
I like making sand yachts and I love this project
February 26, 2014 at 2:59 pm
I like riding sand yachts becauce i go fast
February 26, 2014 at 3:00 pm
I liked the sand yatch day beacause we got to sit in a sand yatch and we saw the chapion.
February 26, 2014 at 3:01 pm
I realy injoyed siting in the sandyaughts, I got pushed backwards and forwards in it.
February 26, 2014 at 3:04 pm
I liked sitting in A sandyacht
February 26, 2014 at 3:04 pm
I like sandyachts do you?
sandyachts go fast.
February 26, 2014 at 3:06 pm
I like making sand yachts we are making them in class
February 26, 2014 at 3:08 pm
I realy enjoyed sitting on the bench because I saw the champien racer
February 26, 2014 at 3:10 pm
I Liked siting in the big and the little sandyachts and watched the sandyacht go around the playground.
February 27, 2014 at 8:52 am
It was fun!
February 27, 2014 at 1:37 pm
My favourite part was when Martyn Hale drove the land yacht because he came really clse to us i t was so scary but fun at the same time
February 27, 2014 at 1:37 pm
It was awesome when maryn drove his sand yacht around the play ground 🙂
February 27, 2014 at 1:37 pm
It was really cool and awsome when Martyn Hale drove round the play ground in his Sand Yachts the where HUGE but cool and come near us it felt intense:)
February 27, 2014 at 1:39 pm
it was awesome when martyn came near us it felt intense 🙂
February 27, 2014 at 1:40 pm
I really liked Martyn Hale coming in whith his sand yachts my favorite part was going in because we got to go quite far in it.
February 27, 2014 at 1:40 pm
I was really excited when Martyn Hale came with his land yacts and whizzed around the playground, because first he told us how they work and then he let us sit in them. I almost sank in the biggest land yacht! B)
February 27, 2014 at 1:41 pm
It was fun when we went in to the sand yacht and i put the helmit on and watched him go in it.:) 🙂 :-0 :}
February 27, 2014 at 1:41 pm
I like the sand yachts so much the man let me ride them! Plus it was fun leaning about how sand yachts work and move!