New Era Heralds Success for Energy Breakthrough
The Energy Breakthrough (EB) Challenge has wrapped-up for another year with outstanding results on and off the track.
This year’s event was the first to be staged without a major sponsor in 26 years, with competing schools welcoming the shift to a more education and community-focused program.
Nathalia Secondary College Principal John Sciacca said, in 2018, the congenial spirit of EB was stronger than ever.
“This year was a perfect example of the culture we have come to expect and love when attending EB and, for us, that’s what it’s all about,” Mr Sciacca said.
“The event, itself, is something we prepare for and look forward to all year; it’s truly a wonderful experience for our students, their families and our teachers — and this year was no exception.”
Country Education Partnership (CEP) Chairman Mike Stephens said the event received consistent feedback about its educational and leadership values.
“Not only does it (EB) encourage a passion for science and engineering but our schools consistently tell us what it achieves for their students’ self-confidence, team-work and mentoring skills,” he said.
“I truly think you’d be hard-pressed finding another school-based event in all of Australia that so effectively makes science fun and exciting.
“We (CEP) are incredibly proud of our founding role in this irreplaceable event.”
Co-ordinating partners, CEP and the Central Goldfields Shire Council, have each confirmed an ongoing commitment to Energy Breakthrough.
On the track, the 24-Hour Trial for Energy Efficient Vehicles (Single Power Source / Open) proved an absolute thriller, with defending champion Girton Grammar limping over the line to claim back-to-back honours.
EB Education Leader Nigel Preston said it was an incredible finish, with the Girton team travelling a record 1028 kilometres in 24 hours.
“It was unbelievable – after travelling all that distance for all that time, the Girton vehicle had a throttle failure with just five minutes remaining – I honestly don’t think you could write a more thrilling finish if you tried,” Mr Preston said.
“Up until then it seemed they could do no wrong and then suddenly they had ground to a halt,” he said.
“Fortunately, with some very quick thinking from their driver, Connor McCaig, they were able to rework their wiring to crawl over the line and finish just one lap ahead of Rode RAGE.”
In other notable results, the Secondary Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) 24-Hour Challenge saw St Margaret’s and Berwick Grammar cross the line first in their vehicle, PerZues.
The joint-team set a distance record of 1019 kilometres to claim the overall title for the HPV Class.
In the HPV Primary Category there was a record number of entries with local Maryborough teams performing well.
Avoca Primary took overall honours in the A1 Class, while the Maryborough Education Centre claimed top-gong in the A2 Class.
0 Comments