With eyes firmly on the future, pupils from 14 schools in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will come together today (Monday, February 6) for the final of the Hydrogen & Fuel Cell School Challenge.
This pioneering initiative launched by Aberdeen company siGEN, supported by Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) and endorsed by the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association was designed to empower school children and inspire their imaginations through a fun challenge in secondary schools in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The pupils, from S2 – S4, were tasked with making a fuel cell powered model made from anything they wanted with the entries being judged in four categories: most futuristic, practical, bizarre and innovative. It is understood that the most bizarre category particularly caught the imagination of entrants.
The finalists, including two pilot primary school teams, will have their models judged by a panel chaired by Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen MSP, who will also present the prizes.
The overall winning team will receive an AREG Shield and there will also be prizes for 1st in each category, runners up in each category and an engineering commendation.
The Hydrogen & Fuel Cell School Challenge was open to all schools in the area and each team was provided with a fuel cell model kit which included a solar panel, supplied by siGEN and funded by a number of private and public sector sponsors who along with teachers and parents also provided mentoring and support to the teams. Financial sponsors included the DTI, Scottish Executive, Aberdeen City / Aberdeenshire Councils, the University of Aberdeen and The Robert Gordon University.
Professor Albert Rodger, Vice Principal and Head of the College of Physical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen, said: "The University is delighted to be involved in this pioneering initiative, launched by siGEN and supported by Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG).
"Within the institution, we have a huge level of expertise in the area of renewable energy. By sponsoring this initiative, we hope to reach out and inspire youngsters to think about renewable energy and fuel cells. We also hope to attract potential students to come to the University and become scientists and engineers of the future.
"As always, it is a pleasure to be working with our colleagues in AREG."
Dave McGrath Managing Director of siGEN who conceived the project said: “This is a crucial initiative to inform children, educationalists, politicians, industry, and the general public about this exciting alternative energy technology.
“Despite having some of the best research progress with this technology in the UK has some way to go to reach progress in Europe. Our children will grow up in a hydrogen and fuel cell world and will be the future technicians, engineers and scientists.”
Iain Todd, Aberdeen Renewable Energy Champion, said: “this competition has enabled schools to use renewable energy and fuel cells to develop innovative and unusual models providing a glimpse into how we may generate and use energy in the future.”
Tom Read, CEO SHFCA, said: “This is an inspired education initiative to prepare to introduce our children into this technology.”
In addition to siGEN private sector sponsors included a selection of industry including Renewables, oil and gas manufacturing and service sectors. This is the first such event held in Scotland and indeed the UK and it is hoped to make it an annual event and roll it out across Scotland next year and later across the whole of the UK.
Today’s final is being held at the Aberdeen Business School at The Robert Gordon University (RGU).