Renewable energy in transport will be racing to the finish line tomorrow at intu Broadmarsh, when prototype electric racing car is brought to the STEMWORKS Festival of Science and Curiosity today Friday 20th March, from 9-4pm.
The car has been developed by the East Midlands Centre for Automotive Training –part of Central College – to showcase the possibilities of renewable energy sources in transport, and is sure to fire up the imaginations of the schoolchildren and their parents to the potential of a career in science, engineering, maths or technology.
The vehicle was built by Mills Extreme Vehicles (MEV) a Nottingham company. The build was commissioned by the college as part of an educational project to integrate new technology into the automotive curriculum.
The vehicle is the only one of its type in the world. Its powered by a combination of electric motor and rechargeable batteries. It currently has a range of 50 miles between charges and has zero emissions when charged up from a renewable energy source such as wind or solar power.
Nottingham is rapidly becoming the UK’s electric transport city, with the UK’s largest fleet of electric buses, electric City Cars for hire, electric fuelled ‘last mile’ delivery of parcels and packages in the city centre and proposals for the development of a city-wide vehicle charging infrastructure underway. The electric racing car shows that technology in this area is moving fast and that sustainable, low-carbon vehicles are becoming available to provide electric domestic, business and leisure vehicles for all purposes.
This week, discussions have started with Government about devolving greater powers locally to ensure that local learners have access to the right, high-quality further education offer, matching the skills of citizens with those of employers – making initiatives like STEMWORKS even more important.
It is estimated that fifty five thousand new jobs could be created across the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire area by 2023 if greater powers were devolved locally. As well as creating employment opportunities, Nottingham is also seeking to further the city’s green agenda on sustainable energy sources and transport.
The city has been shortlisted as one of 12 UK cities bidding for a £35m share of funds to encourage the introduction of electric vehicles, and is already home to Europe’s largest electric bus fleet.
The appearance of the racing car is one highlight in a packed two-week programme of events in the city, running from 13th-29th March.
The festival programme has been organised by Nottingham City Council, Futures, The University of Nottingham, Industrial Cadets and Ignite to highlight science based career paths in the city.
As a city with a growing knowledge-based economy, and notable strengths in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, digital and clean technologies, there is a focus on matching local skills with these areas and ensuring local people and schoolchildren are best placed to benefit from Nottingham’s future success in these areas.
Over the Festival’s course, other events have included the creation of a moving sculpture made of recycled parts, a Coding for Kids workshop, and the Jump! exhibition that will launch the National Video Games Arcade in Nottingham’s Creative Quarter.
Throughout the festival the Broadway Cinema has featured films on a science and technology theme, while back at the Broadmarsh shopping centre hands-on science activities have included; making DNA bracelets, exploring roots and shoots, have-a-go virtual welding and making sticky goo.
STEMWORKS is a partner initiative that aims to engage Nottingham’s citizens and children with the power of science and technology.
Speaking about the event, Councillor Nick McDonald, Portfolio Holder for Jobs and Skills at Nottingham City Council commented: “The STEMworks festival is a prime example of how we can build on the good work already taking place in Nottingham to encourage schoolchildren towards job and training opportunities that the city has to offer in STEM subjects.”
“With Formula 1’s counterpart Formula E (Electric) basing its world headquarters at Donington Park, we are also keen to see contracts for local companies and jobs for local people coming to the fore in the future as the interest in Formula E grows nationally and internationally.”
Emma Szembek from the Widening Participation Team at The University of Nottingham said: “Our Festival will be two weeks of fun, facts and fascination for everyone to engage with. We’re going to be taking science out of the classroom and really surprising people with some interactive experiments that will open minds to the possibilities a STEM career can bring.”
Nicola McCabe, marketing manager for intu Broadmarsh said: “It’s not every day that we have the opportunity to welcome an electric F1 car to intu Broadmarsh. We’re proud to be hosting such an exciting exhibition as part of the STEMWORKS Festival of Science and Curiosity and helping to make science and technology accessible to our customers.”
The full programme of events for the two week festival can be seen at www.nottinghamstemworks.com/festival.html.
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For more information, please contact Sarah Athow-Frost., T: 0115 876 4486, or E: sarah.athow-frost@nottinghamcity.gov.uk