Sunderland school pupils get inspired by Nissan Leaf

The Year 3 and 4 youngsters at Sunderland’s Seaburn Dene Primary School got a hands-on, interactive workshop aimed at bringing to life the Nissan Leaf – without leaving the classroom.

Designing their own electric cars and robots is part of a virbrant curriculum at the Torver Crescent primary school.

And the Leaf was the perfect model to show the seven to nine-year-olds just what goes into creating a state-of-the-art electric car on Wearside.

Karen Clare, of the School Liason Team from Nissan, went along to the school with the car to give children a look around the vehicle.

They explored inside the car and also under the bonnet.

Seaburn Dene headteacher, Maxine Purdy, said: “It was a perfect opportunity for our children to see, first-hand, the world of engineering.

“Our children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the sessions, which will link in with our curriculum. The event was well organised and engaging.”

After learning about the Leaf, children got the chance to take the car for a spin around the yard.

Year 4 pupil, Lilia Unthank-Skinner, eight, said: “I learnt a lot about Nissan, such as how the cars are made, how quiet a Nissan Leaf is and how many parts are on them.

“I really enjoyed the visit.”

Classmate Isobel Smith, nine, added: “The most amazing thing about the Leaf is you can get an app to turn the heating on without getting in.”

Isobel said her favourite facts she learnt about Nissan, which is one of the city’s largest employers, is that a robot working on doors can complete 88 laser welds in 40 seconds, it takes eight hours to charge the Leaf, there are 2,700 parts on a Nissan, the Qashqai is 95% recycled and there are 830 robots at Nissan.