Pupils set to race in self-built electric cars

Teams from across the Humber will race their electric kit cars

Primary pupils are set to race in electric kit cars they have built themselves at school.

Children from six schools across the Humber region will compete in Hull on Wednesday 19 June.

The Greenpower Challenge will see the budding racers, all between the ages of nine and 11, construct their own Goblin Kit Car before racing against each other.

Nicollette Baldwin, director of operations at Greenpower Education Trust, which has organised the event alongside Hull City Council's Green Port Hull project, said the event would help tackle the "skills shortage" in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) industry.

Learning green skills

The design and building phase can take up to 15 hours and the cars must be easily dismantled for future use.

The event encourages children to work as a team, learning engineering and green skills and consider studying STEM subjects in the future. It will take place at Ennerdale Leisure Centre’s cycle circuit.

Alex Codd, assistant director for economic development and regeneration at the council, said the challenge was a "fantastic event in Hull".

“In addition to being great fun, it will help pupils to engage in key subjects and enhance their education and I look forward to seeing the cars racing around the circuit,” he said.

Ms Baldwin added: “We hope all the teams have enjoyed building their cars and we look forward to seeing them all in action very soon.”

The schools taking part in the event are:

• Althorpe and Keadby Primary Schools

• Burton Upon Stather Primary School

• Healing Primary Academy

• Holme upon Spalding Moor Primary School (two teams)

• Sacred Heart RC Primary School.

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