Highland youngsters will feature in this year's 7-Cities Hydrogen Challenge to create most efficient vehicle
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Second year pupils in Highland with an interest in a career in green energy are being given an amazing opportunity to take part in the 7-Cities Hydrogen Challenge later this summer.
The challenge, funded by Scottish Power, ITM Power and Arcola Energy, is aiming to engage with over 7,000 young people across Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Highland, Perth and Stirling.
It is a hands-on “design, build, race, repeat” team exercise in which participants are tasked with creating the most energy efficient hydrogen fuel cell vehicle using LEGO components and miniature (yet fully functional) hydrogen technology.
Due to the geographical size of Highland, the challenge will be hosted by three venues, yet to be confirmed, which will allow for easier access for students across Highland to engage with this exciting programme.
This opportunity will initially be opened to S2 only, however it may be that pupils from other year groups can partake if workshop space allows.
2021 is a big year for promoting Hydrogen and Fuel Cells to a global audience, in particular surrounding and in the lead up to the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.
Workshops have also been specially adapted to include location specific content, informing students of the projects taking place around them and inspiring the next generation of renewable energy engineers, guiding them towards careers in engineering, environmental sciences and the development of cleaner, greener transport.
Topics covered
- Responsible technology: designing for a sustainable future
- Hydrogen fuel cells: exploring the role that hydrogen could play within a low carbon society
- Iterative design: using an iterative approach to improve designs over time
- Renewable energies vs. carbon-based fuels: benefits and challenges of the energy transition
- Electrolysis: as a method for generating hydrogen
- Mechanics: gears and ratios, balancing speed and power, friction and structural strength
- Local Awareness: informing participants of real life applications and implications of hydrogen technology in their local area
The challenge culminates in an inter-school city final at the end of each region’s delivery and a final currently scheduled to be held in Glasgow at the end of October, with each participating group's highest scoring team invited to represent their school, competing to win prizes for their school and classmates.
Chair of Highland Council’s education committee, Cllr John Finlayson, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Highland has been chosen as one of the areas involved in this exciting initiative which is so relevant to all of society at this present time.
“The offer of free workshops, combined with the practical element, will be of huge benefit to all those pupils interested in a future career in the green energy sector. I wish those who get involved all the very best.”
The hydrogen challenge is delivered in partnership with local universities, with students, alumni and lecturers delivering and facilitating workshops, this is intended to allow students the chance to discuss higher education with those directly involved, finding out about their area of study and where they expect their careers to lead once they have left university.
The workshops are due to take place across the country between August 23 August and 2 September 2021. Venues are yet to be confirmed and each will last from 1.5 hours to 2 hours. They have a maximum capacity of 30 and will be offered free of charge.
