Energy
Breakthrough
Bairnsdale Primary School participated
in the R.A.C.V. Energy Breakthrough in Maryborough from Thursday 23 November
–Sunday 26 November, 2006
The H.P.V. Team were seventeenth
overall!
The Pushcart Team were placed
ninth!
The Innovations Team were
crowned State Champions!
More information about the Human Powered Vehicles, Push-Carts and
Innovations in Technology (Crafty Design) for 2006 can be
found at the website http://www.racvenergybreakthrough.net
What is Energy Breakthrough?
The RACV
Energy Breakthrough is known to be one of the most exciting and important
events in the Victorian Education calendar and amongst the finest student
participation events in the World. Developed by the Country Education Project,
the Breakthrough offers male and female students, in both city and country
schools, exciting real world challenges in science, technology and
environmental education, with a particular focus on transport.
It is
designed to provide opportunities for students, teachers, parents and the local
community to work together to design
and construct a vehicle, a
machine or innovation in technology that
will represent an energy breakthrough.
The program encourages
participants to examine and use the latest technology while considering its
impact on the environment and the way people live locally and globally.
The RACV
Energy Breakthrough isn't just a once- a- year
event!
The students work throughout the
year to design, build, and test their vehicles within detailed specifications.
It requires a team effort and a great commitment of time and energy. The teams
from across the state meet in Maryborough in November for a celebration in
which they compete and demonstrate
their achievements.
¨
actively involve young
people in finding solutions for a world they will inherit
¨
provide a great opportunity
for schools and communities to work and learn together
¨
provide an excellent
technologies studies project for children
¨
provide an opportunity for
girls to participate in what has traditionally been a male area of curriculum
¨
be a fun program with real
world challenges
¨ offer students opportunities to explore and address vehicle
design, driving skills and safety issues
This year our school will be
entering one team in each of the three categories
1. Innovations in
Technology- Crafty Design. Children design and construct a stable craft which
will run under its own power along a channel 9 metres by 2 metres carrying a
full can of soft drink.
2.Pushcarts- The students
are involved in the design and construction of a pushcart. Focus is on the use
of recycled materials A team of 8 (with at least 4 girls ) participate in a range
of events including an obstacle course, sprint and circuit events. They also
make a presentation about their pushcart to a panel of judges.
3.HPV (Human Powered Vehicle) Students assist in the design and
building of a vehicle powered by human power. They also make a presentation to
the judges in which they must show an understanding of their vehicle’s
construction and
components. The team has 8 members (at least 4 girls). They race
for 14 hours around the 1.3 km circuit.