Energy challenge- Kilberry Valley Primary School students gearing up for the RACV Energy Break

By Bridget Brady
ENERGY conscious Kilberry Valley Primary Schools students will this week start competing in a Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) challenge in Maryborough.
Eight students from the Hampton Park school will attempt to pedal for first prize during the 14-hour endurance race held on Friday and Saturday.
Schools from far and wide participate in the RACV Energy Breakthrough event, with no motors allowed in any vehicles.
This is the sixth year the school has entered the event, and HPV co-ordinator at the school Megan Ryan said the students had worked very hard to learn about their vehicle, raise money to help pay for their vehicle and their trip, and train for the event.
“They have been doing training sessions at Casey Fields then after school training sessions as well as recess and lunch,” she said.
Local businesses have supported the team of students, who raised about $4000 all up. Ms Ryan said the benefits of the event for students were cross-curriculum.
“Teamwork is a major part of it. They learn about the environment, the mechanics of the vehicle, improve their own individual health, goal setting and they are representing the school,” she said.
“It’s got a little bit of everything.”
A presentation component, which includes testing the students’ knowledge of their vehicle and the environment, accounts for half of the team’s score at the event.
The students recently held a Go Green day that required students to dress with a touch of green for a gold-coin donation. Classes were encouraged to have worksheet-free learning, no power and bring “nude” food, which meant nothing in wrappers.
Ms Ryan said the students were excited for the event and hoped to make it in the top 20 this year.