Aberdeen played host to the national final of a hydrogen technology challenge for schools at Aberdeen Science Centre this afternoon (13 March)
The final featured winning teams from schools across Scotland after they took part in inter-school competitions in their home cities in November, with Aberdeen City represented by Cults and Oldmachar Academies.
The challenge consisted of workshops led by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) professionals and volunteers from the University of Aberdeen, where pupils were tasked with designing and building a hydrogen fuel-cell powered car using custom-designed LEGO kits and 2W fuel-cells.
The final was opened by Education and Children's Services Committee Convenor, Councillor Martin Greig alongside Alan Harris of Ballard, who each congratulated the participating teams for making the final of the biggest hydrogen schools challenge to date and noted the high calibre of designs that have been seen across the country in the inter-city challenges.
Members of the winning team, Boroughmuir High School, were each awarded an app-controlled lego vehicle at the prizegiving, with the second and third place teams: Baldragon Academy and Leith Academy, also awarded lego prizes, amongst other gifts provided to the top three teams from partners in the event.
Aberdeen City Council Co-leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “We are proud to have been invited to host the final of this year’s hydrogen schools challenge, and it’s rewarding to see the energy and application that these young people are putting into taking on challenges across STEM subjects.
“We would like to offer our congratulations to Boroughmuir High School for being awarded first prize, and to all the teams for their participation throughout the day.
“The city has been working for more than ten years to develop hydrogen as an energy source, and is genuinely a world-leader in the delivery of hydrogen technology and the use of hydrogen as a fuel. This will present a fantastic opportunity for young people to get involved in this industry as they start their careers.”
The Scottish Schools Hydrogen Challenge is supported and funded by a number of organisations across Scotland, including Energy Transition Zone Ltd (ETZ), Scottish Power, Storegga, Abbott Risk Consulting Ltd (ARC), OPITO Ltd, Ove Arup and Partners Ltd, and Ballard, and has engaged with over 4,000 young people across Scotland’s eight cities.
Photo: The Aberdeen Lord Provost Dr David Cameron met Pupils from Oldmachar and Cults Academy that took part in the Scottish school hydrogen challenge.