Borders College staff have supported Eyemouth and Galashiels to three wins at Greenpower Racing #STEM event

Borders College staff have supported two local schools to three wins at the ‘Greenpower Racing Scottish Heats’, which were recently held at the East Fortune Airfield.

Students competed in the formula 24 and 24+ sections of the competition and raced their electric kit cars, which they have built at school or college, against 22 teams from all over Scotland.

College lecturer Dave Black took charge of the Galashiels Academy Team, in the DYW Borders-sponsored car, gaining a fourth-place tie in the 2019 distance record for the F24 section with their car travelling 23.94 km during the race period. Meanwhile Mark Catto worked with Eyemouth High School, who had two cars racing, and managed to come second overall in the F24+ section, winning the spirit of Greenpower award for their teamwork.

Commenting on the event, Dave Black said:

“It was a great day out for both teams and to get placed is testament to the effort that pupils from both schools put in, not only racing, but building and maintaining their cars.

“I know that both Mark and I were delighted for the Eyemouth team in getting placed and winning the ‘Spirit of Greenpower Award’.

“Personally, I’m delighted to see how the Greenpower project is expanding within the Borders as I was responsible, along with my students, for building the First Greenpower kit car four years ago. The project allows students to develop not only their knowledge and understanding of STEM subjects, but teamwork and cooperation.”

Also commenting on the event, Mark Catto went on to say:

“I’m very proud of the Junior Eyemouth HS team, who have only been together for about five weeks and if they didn’t have the unfortunate incident in the second race, it was looking good for a podium finish!

“It was brilliant watching all three teams supporting and working with each other, and the effort that Dave Black (Gala) and Paul Watson (Eyemouth) put into these groups is immense.

“Overall, four trophies was a brilliant result considering two of the teams had only been together for a few weeks, and the partnership between Borders College and Eyemouth HS can only go from strength to strength.”

Greenpower Education Trust is a UK-based charity, which gets young people enthusiastic about science and engineering by challenging them to design, build and race an electric car.

They supply age-appropriate Kit Cars, which can be built in school, college or elsewhere and raced at motorsport venues at Greenpower-organised events.

The Greenpower challenge uses the excitement of motorsport to inspire young people to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).