Young Engineers Shine at the Lockheed Martin Gathering of Goblins at Goodwood

Around 1400 children aged 9–11 took to the iconic Goodwood racetrack with energy and excitement at this year’s Lockheed Martin Gathering of Goblins, Greenpower’s flagship national event for young racers. The Goblin challenge is a practical engineering project where teams of young people design and build their own electric kit cars, with race day serving as the culmination of months of hard work as they put their creations to the test.

Young participants showcased impressive driving skills and collaboration as they navigated tight turns, tackled the chicane, and raced head-to-head in their self-built electric Goblin cars. The atmosphere throughout the event was inspiring, with children demonstrating engineering initiative, enthusiasm, and teamwork.

The standout moment came with the Lap of Champions, where every Goblin car took to the full Goodwood circuit to race around the historic track. The excitement continued with a special 12+ race, giving teachers the chance to take the wheel for a full lap - much to the delight of their students!

Longstanding Support from Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin’s longstanding partnership with Greenpower, now in its 16th year, has played a transformative role in expanding access to STEM education. Their sponsorship has funded school participation, enabled events across the UK, and provided thousands of students with a real-world introduction to engineering. Lockheed Martin volunteers, made up of engineers and STEM advocates , were an important part of the event, supporting and mentoring teams and helping make Greenpower’s educational mission possible.

Joanna Wood, Group Managing Director and General Manager for Lockheed Martin UK Rotary and Mission Systems said of the event: “It was an incredible day and a powerful illustration of why our company has proudly supported Greenpower for so long. The ingenuity, teamwork, and problem-solving demonstrated by these young people were truly impressive.

“The project brings STEM to life through practical, hands-on experiences, helping young people build confidence, develop real-world skills, and spark curiosity beyond the classroom. Fostering that early interest in STEM is essential to strengthening the pipeline of talent our industry depends on.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

The Goblin category of Greenpower Racing, continues to inspire the next generation by introducing engineering concepts in a fun, accessible, and competitive environment.

Jayne Meadows of Brighton Girls School said: “When our Headteacher first suggested the Goblin project, I thought “Why not!”. What I wasn’t expecting was the whirlwind that followed. It has been great to see how the Goblin has bonded the Year 5 and Year 6 girls as one confident, capable team. They’ve raised funds, built and refined their car, created an award-winning portfolio, and demonstrated impressive driving skills. Their engineering abilities have blown me away, and their fearlessness behind the wheel is something to behold.

“The event showcased just how much the Greenpower project has given them: resilience, teamwork, engineering skills, project-management experience, and a belief in their own

abilities. Greenpower has been a transformational experience. The girls will carry the confidence, skills, and memories from Goodwood with them for years to come.”

With students leaving Goodwood inspired and proud of their accomplishments, the event was a shining example of what can be achieved when young minds are given the tools and opportunity to innovate.

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