Teams representing schools from across Aberdeen took part in the inter-school final of a hydrogen technology challenge at the Beach Ballroom yesterday ( December 5).
The final featured winning teams from schools after they took part in workshops throughout November, 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 pupils were welcomed by Arlan Harris of Ballard, provided opening remarks and spoke to the participants about the hydrogen industry in Aberdeen.
Grand prizes were awarded to Oldmachar Academy and Cults Academy who were also invited to represent Aberdeen in the Inter-City Grand Final, which will to take place in early 2023.
Aberdeen City Council Co-leader Ian Yuill said: “Aberdeen has been at the forefront of developing and using green hydrogen technology. Key to the development of the hydrogen industry is the involvement of young people who will be the innovators of the future in the sector.
“The City Council is delighted to welcome bright, young minds from Aberdeen’s schools to the Beach Ballroom today to create and learn with real-fuel cells with the aim of stimulating their minds and encouraging them to learn more across STEM subjects.”
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 aims to engage with over 7,000 young people across Scotland’s eight cities.
Participating schools in Aberdeen were Aberdeen Grammar School, Bucksburn Academy, Cults Academy, Ellon Academy, Lochside Academy, Oldmachar Academy and St. Machar Academy.