More girls sign up for electric car-building prize

A SCOTTISH engineering competition, which challenges school pupils to design, build and race an electric car, has seen a rise of more than a third in the number of girls competing, it was revealed today.
An engineering competition to design, build and race an electric car has seen a surge in the number of girls entering. Picture: TSPLAn engineering competition to design, build and race an electric car has seen a surge in the number of girls entering. Picture: TSPL
An engineering competition to design, build and race an electric car has seen a surge in the number of girls entering. Picture: TSPL

The Greenpower Challenge, which is open to primary and secondary pupils throughout Scotland, will be held at the racetrack of Grampian Transport Museum at Alford in Aberdeenshire on 13 and 14 June.

Last year, Greenpower attracted entries from almost 600 youngsters from over 40 Scottish schools and clubs.

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Frances Chapman, the event’s organiser, said: “As part of our drive to promote science and engineering subjects within Scottish schools, we are urging schools to get involved in this fantastic challenge. Greenpower involves everything from project management and environmental know-how, to fundraising, sponsorship and marketing, a real host of transferrable life and business skills.”

She explained that female participation in the challenge had already risen by over 33 per cent. And Ms Chapman continued: “We are heartened to see an increasing number of female pupils competing in the event, building on their interests and gaining real confidence and experience in scientific subjects.

“And it really does work. Many of our participants go on to excel at science, technology, engineering and maths subjects at secondary school and pursue them as higher education and career options.”

The competition is sponsored by international energy company TAQA.

Pete Jones, managing director of TAQA’s UK business said: “TAQA is an active member of the community and we place great emphasis on supporting education. As an oil and gas company we have a responsibility to ensure that the industry has a skilled workforce in the future and this starts with getting young people interested in science and engineering.

“Greenpower is a great way of engaging children with these subjects and hopefully it will inspire the pupils to pursue these disciplines as a career in later life.”

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