Thousands of primary and secondary school students congregated in the central Victorian town to race their human-powered vehicles and present to judges research about sustainability and the environment.

Among those successful in the 2017 event were two teams from Bendigo Senior Secondary College.

Teacher Daryl King said both groups navigated difficult weather conditions and technological malfunctions to top their categories.

In the hybrid open category, BSSC team One Million Nuts had to overcome a faulty engine – it would only operate on the dry track – to take first place. Second team Nothing Like A Bin Fire were helped to victory when another school in direct competition acquired a 50-lap penalty. 

Lockwood Primary School team Thunder were awarded a special prize for their display and presentation to Energy Breakthrough Judges. 

Teacher Erin Malone said every grade 6 student at the 140-pupil school was involved in the Maryborough challenge.

“They’re all included, regardless of their ability levels,” Ms Malone said.

“They all get a go in the cart.”

Lockwood students impressed with their “no bells and whistles” approach to presentations, with the team forgoing costumes and characterisation in favour of cold, hard facts.

“It was the students and their knowledge that was most important to us,” Ms Malone said.  

SPECIAL AWARDS

Primary

INNOVATIONS IN TECHNOLOGY

Trish Walsh Encouragement Award

Challenge 1: Crafty Design

PUSHCARTS

Pushcarts Section 2

HUMAN POWERED VEHICLES – PRIMARY

Human Powered Vehicles – A Class – Section 1

Human Powered Vehicles – A Class – Section 2

ENERGY EFFICIENT VEHICLES (EEVs)

Hybrid – Section 1 OPEN

Single Power Source – OPEN

HUMAN POWERED VEHICLES – SECONDARY

All Female

Class B1

Class B2

Class C

HPV Open