Prince Harry visited a group of enterprising schoolkids who will be the first in the UK to build and race their own 3D printed race karts.

Royal personage and general do-gooder Prince Harry is currently on a tour of the UK, in a bid to raise awareness for projects which promote sport as a means for social development.

Today he visited the Three Sisters race track in Wigan where he was given a detailed presentation on 3D printed race karts. It’s all part of the Proto GP Schools Kart Challenge, backed by the Blair Project, to encourage young people to pursue careers in STEM subjects and digital industries.

Prince Harry met with the pupils involved in this pilot project, and was given a demonstration of their new skills. He also watched as the children tested their karts on the track, which you can see in the video below.

It’s the first time a 3D printed kart has been made and raced in the UK! ?? pic.twitter.com/eL4A8w3zcM

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 5, 2016

Prince Harry Learns about 3D Printing

The Proto GP Schools Kart Challenge is open to students aged between 8 and 19 years old, for children with special educational needs and disabilities. The aim is to learn about motorsports by 3D modeling race karts on a computer and then building them using 3D printing technology.

The younger students aren’t just thrown in the deep end, however; they also have the support of student mechanics and engineers from a local college, as well as STEM ambassadors from local businesses.

These children have the distinction of being the first to race their own 3D printed race karts in the UK, but there are big plans for future expansion. Proto GP is expected to roll out their 3D printing motorsports initiative to more schools in Wigan and the North West later this year.

As for Prince Harry, rumors he took a 3D printer back to Buckingham Palace as a gift for his grandmother are entirely unfounded.

(Source: Wigan Today)