Pupils from across West Lothian have proved they’re science superstars.
Over 1300 pupils from 10 secondary schools across West Lothian have honed their design, engineering and creative skills to research and develop the most innovative use of a heat source pump – a technology which is front and centre of the Scottish and UK Government’s Net Zero targets.
The final of the 2023 Pump it Up School Challenge - returning after a three-year break - is a joint venture between Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning System Europe (M-ACE) and supported by the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce.
The final, which took place at Howden Park Centre in Livingston, aims to forge stronger ties between local industry and local secondary schools with a core aim to support young people in developing STEM skills beneficial to their future career choice
The innovation challenge tasks the S2/S3 pupils from the ten secondary schools to develop innovative use for a heat pump and further their understanding of sustainable energy.
On reaching adulthood, this generation will be the first to witness the full transition to the next generation of heating technologies which, if Government targets remain on track, will fully decarbonise the UK’s heating requirements and fully rely on heat pump technology and other renewable resources for future energy needs.
Engineers from Mitsubishi have spent the past few weeks visiting all participating school to select one team per school to take part in the final. The team from each school then presented their ideas to invited guests from local authority, education and business which included Mr Nagano, President of Mitsubishi Livingston and Mr Fujiwara who is the Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh.
The overall winner for the most innovative use of a heat pump was the team from Broxburn Academy and their concept – Planet B. The team looked many years into the future where heat pump technology could help grow food crops in greenhouses on Mars should the Earth’s food resource become scarce. Whilst this may seem largely ambitious, the research by Broxburn Academy was based on several reports which claim that science fiction may one day become science fact as Mars exploration is firmly in NASA’s plans.
The runner up was Linlithgow Academy whose sustainable energy idea S.M.I.L.E (Saving Many Infants Lives Everywhere) designed an ‘Aircubator’ using recycled products and powered by green energy, impressing the judges with their research into alternative materials and power.
A visit to their local Nando’s’ sparked an excellent alternative energy innovation technology idea for the team from St Kentigerns Academy who were Recognised for Teamwork. Their idea focused on recycling heat from the oven used to prepare the food. The heat pump then reprocesses leftover hot air to reheat the oven. This saves energy since there is no need to continually have the oven on since recycled air is already hot and then, mixed with the new hot air from the heat pump, the air would be roasting temperature.
Livingston MP Hannah Bardell closed the event by thanking Mitsubishi for their commitment to supporting local industry, West Lothian schools and the community.
She said: ““There is unquestionably a challenge to raise awareness of engineering and sustainable energy, and the need to be work together to adapt to the changing face of climate change.
`With heat pump technology as one of our future energy resources, it is great to see West Lothian schools being ahead of the curve and showing their ingenuity and innovation. Young people bursting with ambition within our community are part of our future.”
Echoing these comments, Billy MacLeod, President, West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, said. “We continue to be impressed by the creativity and confidence of the finalists. Pump It Up is all about supporting our young people in creating skills required for their future development.
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