Dubai: The UAE Greenpower STEM Education Program, in which student teams construct electric cars and compete against other schools to build the most energy-efficient vehicle, has the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure as a strategic partner. The partnership is with Dubai-based motorsports and automotive events company Pole Position.
Participants in the program, teachers and students from GEMS Winchester School, visited the Ministry on March 20th and spoke with Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs Sharif Salim Al Olama about their experiences with Greenpower.
The students talked about how working on the Greenpower Programme has benefited them, how it has increased their understanding of sustainability concerns, and how they are looking forward to the Race Finals in May 2024.
After seeing students construct their Greenpower cars at GEMS Winchester School in November 2023, representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure were so taken with the project that they decided to support it and assist in its expansion into more schools throughout the United Arab Emirates.
A representative from the Ministry will be present at the Race Finals to greet the competing students and give the trophy to the victorious team.
Ten teams of students, ages 11 to 16, from GEMS Schools have been building their Greenpower cars since September. They have been designing the bodywork to maximize aerodynamic efficiency and minimize weight, as well as sourcing sustainable materials for construction. The program, which is supported by the Greenpower Education Trust in the UK, was introduced in the UAE in 2023. They are currently putting the finishing touches on their vehicles in preparation for the May race.
The teams whose vehicles go the most distance over time will win the two 60-minute races that make up the Greenpower Race Finals. The competition will come to a close with a prizegiving ceremony where prizes for the Most Sustainable Team and the Best Team Spirit will be given out along with trophies for First, Second, and Third Place.
By creating and competing in an electric vehicle race, kids all around the world may learn about science, engineering, and the environment while also gaining practical experience and realizing the value of collaboration through the Greenpower Programme. Greenpower, which has an average of 40 percent female participants each year, also encourages females to pursue professions in engineering.
Al Olama said that, “Empowering the next generations of innovators and sustainability champions is our priority. The Greenpower Programme is a shining example of an initiative that helps empower youngsters to become part of the solution to global challenges. We encourage more schools to participate in the programme and open the door for their students to embrace innovative thinking. We are confident the Race Finals will be full of excitement and wish all competitors the best of luck.”