Teens build Teesside turbines

Environmental and climate change issues were the focus of workshops at Teesside University for visiting secondary school students.

The workshops for the year nine students, aged 13 and 14, were delivered by the University’s Clean Environment Management Centre (CLEMANCE).

Their visit included a lecture covering environmental issues and how Teesside University is helping to solve these problems.

They also took part in interactive workshops, one looking at the energy efficiency of hydrogen cars and the other showing how a wind turbine generates electricity.

During the workshops the students built their own hydrogen cars, which involved them looking at alternative ways to power vehicles and then racing their cars to test the power.

The students also worked in groups to build mini wind turbines, while learning how they work and how the energy they produce is used.

Among students who took part was Josh Snaith, 14, of Bydales School, Marske. He said: 'We’ve been measuring the amps from a solar panel and making a wind turbine to generate electricity. It’s been really interesting.'

Alex Grange, 14, of Northfield School, Billingham, said: 'We’ve been learning about energy and cleaner energy sources. It’s been really educational, but fun too.'

Taking part in the event were pupils from the following secondary schools, Northfield in Billingham, Oakfields in Middlesbrough, Macmillan College in Middlesbrough, Freeborough Academy in East Cleveland and Bydales in Marske.

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