Greenpower Challenge for Schools

Greenpower is a national project which has been running since 1999 and is designed to promote and encourage young people to develop an interest in and understanding of engineering and technology. The programme involves students in the practical applications of engineering as they design, construct, drive and race an electric car. The project is divided into separate ‘Formulae’ to suit different age groups and to allow continuity from Primary right through to S6/College:

  • Primary 6/7 (Goblin)
  • S1-S4 (F24)
  • Post 16 years (F35 and Catapult - as F24 with added suspension).

Each stage builds and develops the skills gained from the previous Formula. Students are encouraged to run this project as a racing team focusing not just on the engineering challenge, but also to consider the marketing, sponsorship and business aspects involved.

  • STEM - science, technology, engineering, mathematics
  • Vehicle design & livery - graphics, model making
  • Photography & Art - production & events
  • Media - sponsorship, marketing, video of production & event
  • Textiles - team clothing
  • Food technology - energy food for drivers!
  • ICT - lap times, data logging, software & hardware, car electronics

             

Photographs from he 2010 event at Alford can be viewed at
http://www.greenpower.co.uk/gallery/album.php?id=0138&function=piclist&

Provisional dates for the  2011 event are:

Primary Goblins - Saturday 18th June;

Secondary F24's - Sunday 19th June

STEM Ambassadors

Volunteer engineers are requested for a number of roles.

  • Primary schools are keen to have engineers help the pupils construct the Goblin kit car over a period of 6-8 weeks, either in school during curriculum time, or as part of an after-school club.  There is little scope for elaborate designs and as such, the input is mostly background, planning, construction and testing.
  • Secondary schools wish engineers to help pupils and teachers with design, planning, construction and testing  of their cars.  The F24 cars can be purchased as a kit or the car can be designed from scratch.  The input from the engineer would therefore be dependent on which path the school had selected.
  • At the Finals - several areas require manning by engineers such as scrutineering, paddocks, pits, racetrack.

For more information about the Greenpower Challenge at Alford, contact Frances Chapman at f.c.chapman@abdn.ac.uk

More information on Greenpower can be found at www.greenpower.co.uk