GFG Alliance’s Whyalla operations are proud to announce sponsorship support for the two Whyalla Secondary College teams competing in the first-ever South Australian Horizon Educational Grand Prix.
The H2 Grand Prix Series (H2GP) run by Horizon Educational since 2015, and facilitated in SA by the Office of Hydrogen Power South Australia in May to bring together government and industry, will see the Whyalla teams, Whyalla Steel and Whyami Heat, pitted against 11 other South Australian schools including the neighbouring Whyalla Sunrise Christian School, Port Pirie Secondary College and Cummins Area School.
The H2GP is part of a global school-based science and engineering program that provides students with hands-on experience in designing, engineering and racing remote-controlled fuel cell electric vehicles powered by hydrogen.
The students are part of the A.C.E.E. Industry Pathway Program (Automotive, Construction, Engineering & Electrotech) which teaches them employable skills in science and technology while also developing competence in critical thinking, creativity and teamwork.
The H2GP program allows students to develop their understanding of hydrogen power and future career pathway options
Melissa Kober
GFG Alliance Group Manager Environment & Community, Chris Smyth said the GFG sponsorship was appropriate considering the decarbonising transformation program planning at the GFG-owned Liberty Whyalla Steelworks and SIMEC Mining operations.
In February this year, GFG signed a landmark agreement with the South Australian Government to explore opportunities for the supply of hydrogen from its soon-to-be-built electrolyser in Whyalla.
“As we continue our transformation journey and ambition to use hydrogen in our steelworks, it makes sense to invest in our own backyard and support young Whyalla people who have an interest in both STEM and a renewable future” Chris said.
“These young people represent our future in regards to a potential workforce as we enter a new age of renewable energy and hydrogen use.
“The hydrogen grand prix helps to build skills that we need as a society, but also right here in Whyalla for our own low-carbon future.”
The teachers leading the Whyalla Secondary College, Melissa Kober and Mitch Jackman, said the STEM-based program was generating a lot of excitement within the team and the school in general.
“This program provides our students with an amazing opportunity to develop their understanding of the design and engineering process,” Melissa said.
“All of the student involved in the H2GP program are participating in our Industry Pathways Program (IPP) at the College.
“This allows their learning to be contextualised to have an industry focus based on the regional need of Whyalla.
“The H2GP program allows students to develop their understanding of hydrogen power and future career pathway options.”
The H2GP involves a series of technical checks, a presentation by the respective teams to the judges at the grand prix that involves a four-hour race between the teams.
The remote-control vehicles need to be designed as a competition car with assembly considerations to optimise transmission ratio, weight distribution, engine electronics and all other race car considerations.
The South Australian H2GP final will be held on May 10 at the Findon High School in Adelaide. On offer is an opportunity to compete at the H2GP World Final in Anaheim, California during the September RE+ clean energy trade show in North America. The Whyalla teams will sport GFG Alliance shirts and stickers on their vehicles as part of the sponsorship.
As we continue our transformation journey and ambition to use hydrogen in our steelworks, it makes sense to invest in our own backyard and support young Whyalla people who have an interest in both STEM and a renewable future
Chris Smyth
More information on the Horizon Educational Grand Prix Program can be found here.
Main image: Whyalla Secondary College students involved in the South Australian Horizon Educational Grand Prix. Back row: Zavier Harrison, Brock Casey, Troy Davidson, Vivek Bhatt, Jack Blaney. Front row: Misty Yeend, Brodie Casey, Toree Holden, Chelsea Davis. Top right: Students put their hydrogen car through its paces. Above right: Troy Davidson, Brodie Casey and Zavier Harrison work on their hydrogen car.
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