SUCCESS FOR ALFORD ACADEMY

Could you design, build and race an electric car?   Young enterprising engineers and technologists from schools in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Caithness and Clackmannanshire did just that at the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford!

A team of five pupils from Alford Academy won the top prize which included a trip to drive their car at the Greenpower National Final at Goodwood, plus the Best Engineered car award.  Shell sponsored the event and will also fund the winning team to represent Scotland at Goodwood.  Jim Niven, Shell's Stakeholder Manager said: "We are delighted to support this event to encourage kids to take an interest in engineering and technology. It gives them an invaluable opportunity to experience these subjects hands on, while also gaining skills in teamwork, business, design and marketing. On top of this the whole process of planning, building and racing the cars is great fun for them."

The other prizewinners were :-

  • 2nd place – Banff Academy with their car "Original BART"
  • 3rd place plus Fastest Lap – Bankhead Academy with their car " Bankhead Blazers"
  • Best Car Design – Cordyce School
  • Spirit of Greenpower Award – Thurso High School
  • Best presented team – Banchory Academy
  • Best use of Recycled Materials – Banff Academy with their "BART" car.

Over 120 pupils came together on Sunday 22nd June at the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford to drive their electric-powered cars and compete against each other for a chance to take their cars to Goodwood! The project is divided into separate 'Formulae' to suit different age groups and to allow continuity from Primary right through to S6 : Primary 7 (Formula Goblin – a 24volt electric motor and 2x12volt batteries); S1-S4 (Formula 24 – a 24 volt electric motor and 4x12 volt batteries) and post 16 years (Formulae 35 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. 

1st        Alford Academy                                         245 laps (won by 24sec)

2nd      Banff Academy - Original BART                         245 laps

3rd       Bankhead Academy - Bankhead Blazers             170 laps

4th        Forfar Academy – Speed of Scotland                  165 laps

5th        Cordyce School – Cordyce Racing                      158 laps

6th        Dollar Academy – Roadrunner                             135 laps

7th        Banff Academy – BART                                      130 laps

8th        Banchory Academy – Banchory Bullitt                 129 laps

9th        Thurso High School – Aftershock                           41 laps     

Please click here to view photographs of the event.      

 The project was initiated and managed by TechFest-SetPoint, a charity organisation whose aim is to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths to young people (they organise the science festival TechFest).

It is hoped that this will become an annual event and that more schools and/or clubs will take up the challenge next year!

If you require any further information please contact Frances Chapman on 01224 274191

 

 24th Jun 2008

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