Local Teams Start their Electric Car Challenge

Their second team SC07 faired less well finishing 29th overall.

There was a true battle between four of the other Sussex teams who finished in positions 12th to 16th St Pauls Catholic College from Burgess Hill leading this group followed by Dorset House School from Pulborough and two cars from Slindon College.

 

Westbourne House School from Chichester and St Pauls Catholic College’s second car covered a respectable 64.8 miles whilst holding the middle ground in 23rd and 24th position.

 

The Littlehampton Academy had a very difficult day and eventually had to retire early due to major mechanical problems, but the team are all still full of enthusiasm and are planning to get the car in full working order for the next event at Dunsfold Park in Surrey on 26th June.

 

Emma Tyler of Greenpower said “The team spirit at Goodwood was incredible to see on Sunday in the persistent rain. The competitors refused to give in and completed the full four hours of racing. The Greenpower challenge of designing and building a car really inspires this focus and enthusiasm in young people which will help to encourage them to consider a long term involvement in engineering.”

 

Greenpower Education Trust has been promoting engineering to young people thorough an innovative design, build and race competition with support from a number of partners who assist by supporting both the charity and the schools involved. This helps to bridge the gap between education and industry. For example title partners Siemens supports with funding, some of which is directed towards match funded bursaries to encourage more schools to get involved. The company also hopes to help local schools and projects by providing information and engineering expertise in the topic of electric cars.

Sustainability Officer for Siemens, Ian Bowman said: “Schools participating in Greenpower are seeing the benefit with more motivated students inspired by science and the UK will benefit from increased numbers continuing their studies in science, technology, engineering and maths.”

 

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) echo this sentiment with a priority on involving their members in educational activities to help develop the next generation of engineers.

 

Witness the first heat of the 2011 challenge on the 12 June and be a part of the largest electric car competition in the UK.

 

Notes to Editors

 

About Greenpower Education Trust

Greenpower Education Trust promotes sustainable engineering as a rewarding career to anyone aged 9-25, while also focusing on teamwork, linking industry with educational institutions and involving the community. The Trust works with over 500 schools across the UK and runs 27 events annual.

 

Further information is available from:

Emma Tyler email – emma@greenpower.co.uk, telephone – 01243 552305, mobile – 07766 417022 www.greenpower.co.uk

 

Partners

 

About Siemens in the UK

Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 168 years ago and now employs around 16,000 people in the UK. Last year’s revenues were £4.1 billion. As a leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry and healthcare. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. The company’s global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit www.siemens.co.uk

 

About The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is one of the world’s leading professional societies for the engineering and technology community, with more than 150,000 members in 127 countries and offices in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. The IET provides a global knowledge network to facilitate the exchange of ideas and promote the positive role of science, engineering and technology in the world.

 

The IET's Education 5-19 department aims to support teachers of science, design and technology, engineering and mathematics with its range of IET Faraday resources. These include classroom posters, lesson activities, short films and challenges - all designed to bring the real world of engineering into the classroom. Teenagers can explore the fascinating world of science and engineering with Flipside magazine, available free of charge in school libraries, and discover more about engineering careers. The IET's Education Fund provides grants of up to £5000 to local education projects and the Institution is proud to support its extensive range of Education Partners who all share its aim of encouraging more young people into the engineering and technology sector.