Project Description
Engineering the Future with Hydrogen Power
In March 2024, Fife College approached Auchmuty High School with an exciting opportunity to participate in the H2 Grand Prix Pro hydrogen car competition. Mrs. Bouglas from the Physics department eagerly accepted the challenge and assembled a team of six budding physicists and engineers. Their mission was to design, build, and race a hydrogen fuel cell-powered remote-controlled car.
From the ground up, the students engaged in every aspect of the project. This immersive experience involved:
- Design and Engineering: Creating the hydrogen fuel cell and the car structure.
- Building: Assembling the car from scratch.
- Testing and Maintenance: Conducting tests and making necessary repairs during a 4-hour endurance race.
On June 18th, the team registered their car at the competition venue and performed an initial inspection to ensure compliance with the competition rules. They also had their first opportunity to test the car on the track for 30 minutes.
The following day, June 19th, the team arrived at Glenrothes High School for the H2 Grand Prix Pro competition. After a rigorous inspection, they incorporated feedback from the previous evening and tested their car again before the race. Throughout the 4-hour race, the team coordinated driver swaps, timed fuel changes, and resolved any issues that arose, showcasing their problem-solving and teamwork skills.
The team, comprised of Emily Roonie, Duncan Lightbody, Jake Wood, Lewis Hinton, Aidan Dunbar, and Leon Hastie, performed admirably, finishing second out of ten teams. The winning team will attend the world final in California in September.
Details of Involved Parties
Auchmuty High School has strong relationships with various departments at Fife College. This project was seen as an excellent opportunity for students to apply their theoretical knowledge in a practical, real-world context. The collaboration provided valuable insights into engineering and physics, bridging the gap between classroom learning and practical application.
Event Overview
The competition included several key activities:
- Car Inspection: Ensuring the car met competition specifications.
- Team Presentation: Each team gave a 3-minute presentation on their car design and learning experiences.
- Practice Race: Drivers warmed up for the main event.
- Main Race: A 4-hour endurance race where teams used strategic planning to complete the most laps efficiently with their 18 hydrogen fuel cells and three battery packs.
- Awards Ceremony: Presentation of prizes and acknowledgments to the participating teams and organizers.
Feedback
The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive:
- “What an amazing event and a great opportunity for us to be involved.”
- “There was a great buzz about the place when the racing started.”
- “We loved the experience of racing against other schools.”
- “Can we do this again next year?”
Conclusion
This project not only provided a practical application of physics and engineering principles but also fostered teamwork, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills among the students. It served as a powerful example of how engaging, real-world projects can inspire and educate young minds, preparing them for future careers in STEM fields.