Science Breakfast - Jonathan Ellis of Bloodhound SSC
Jonathan Ellis, Ambassadors Director for Bloodhound SSC (supersonic car) declared, “We are very fortunate in this country that we have the resources to hold the world land speed record set by Richard Noble in 1993 and superseded by Andy Green in 1997.” He assured the audience that Bloodhound SSC was “not a boy’s toy” but an “adventure in engineering.”
Richard showed a film of the vehicle in action which not only conveyed the excitement of the speeds achieved by this jet and rocket powered car, but also the advanced mathematical skills required to drive this incredible machine. 
He explained, “We are attempting to take the car out into the desert and to drive at 1050 mph.” Yet breaking records was not the project’s primary aim. Jonathan explained his mission was “to create a national surge” getting everybody from six to ninety-six excited about STEM by sharing the project with as wide an audience as possible. He advised of Bloodhound SSC’s extensive ambassador programme; work with schools and colleges, of attempts to reinvigorate former industrial heartlands and of links with other STEM initiatives.
Jonathan insisted that the work was not about passing on his own knowledge but about exciting young people and inspiring them to ask questions. Bloodhound was certainly inspiring visitors to Bradford College, as for two days of British Science Festival school parties had flocked to see the 13ft suopersonic car in the marquee on the college campus and join Jonathan's presentations in the Yorkshire Craft Centre.