Energy Breakthrough is an initiative that provides opportunities for students, teachers, parents and local industry to work together to design and construct a vehicle, a machine or innovation in technology that will represent an ‘energy breakthrough’.
The program is unique in that all teams must compete across three areas of assessment: Design and Construction, Display and Presentation and Trials.
Two teams of primary students from years 3-6 worked on pushcart vehicles, designing and making adjustments to improve their speed and manoeuvrability while three teams from years 5-9 worked on Human Powered Vehicles (HPVS) to improve their speed, safety and ensured they were environmentally friendly.
The event has a primary focus on learning; to work as a team, about the current state of the environment and sustainability, plus about the vehicle mechanics and innovation.
Each year the students have to apply an expression of interest with parents also needing to be involved.
The students practise around the school grounds and spend one hour a week term 3 and 4 on the project.
At the recent event, the P-12 year 5/6 HPV (Human Powered Vehicle) team won the design and construction component whilst the year nines also placed for their age group.
Yarrawonga College P-12 teacher Megan Wood said the students were outstanding when displaying the values of the event: responsibility, respect and leadership being the main focus particularly for the Year 9 students.
“Yarrawonga College P-12 would like to acknowledge all of our generous sponsors,” Ms Wood said. “Our major sponsors this year, Gove Landscape Creations. Ash Gove has supported the program for a number of years, not only making adjustments to the vehicles, but assisting staff with trainings, organisation and transport to and from the event.
“Also to our other major sponsor Finishing Touch Painting. Chris Laity also assisted with transport plus helping students in painting the vehicles and presenting them in top condition for the judges. “We also would love to thank: ASAP Skin Products, CMCU, ClubMulwala, Judds Yarrawonga, O’Bryan and O’Donnell, Thompson Electrical Group, Yarrawonga Manufactured Housing, Bundalong Tavern, Lekeal Builders, Motel Yarrawonga, Powelly’s Painting and Rendering, Purtle Electrical, Redag Contracting, Red Centre Caravans, Sandra Heaney Optometrist, Simply Caravans, Mulwala Water Ski club, Terry White Chemmart and O’Bryans Painting.
“Our catering team were brilliant as always Sally Eales, Courtney Gove and Jacqui Stewart - Thank you!
“Last but not least our supportive parents, who encouraged their students to participate, who took the time off work and away from the families to help the event run smoothly.
“It was a great thing for the students.”
Student Willow Laity enjoyed taking part in the event and all it encompassed in the lead up at school.
“I enjoyed the obstacle course especially because I got to drive,” Willow said.
“I signed up because its just fun and we got to learn life skills.”
Major sponsor and father Chris Laity said he loves to be involved and encouraged other local businesses to also take part.
“I just want to see more businesses and people get involved, it’s a great initiative for the students,” Chris said.
“The students love it and it is great to see them outdoors working with their hands to put these machines together.”
