School teams take on heat pump challenge
Teams of third year pupils from across West Lothian honed their design, engineering and creative skills in this year’s Pump It Up Challenge.
This is a joint venture between Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning System Europe (MACE) and the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, where participants research and develop the innovative use of a heat source pump.
More than 1300 pupils competed for a spot in the final at Howden Park Centre in Livingston. Each team was tasked with creating a future use idea for an energyefficient heat pump design primarily used for domestic heating and hot water.
After a series of preliminary rounds the competition was whittled down to a final featuring one team from each school
Whitburn Academy won the competence award, St Kentigern’s High School in Blackburn picked up the design and innovation award and the green energy plaudit went to James Young High School in Livingston.
Yoshiro Sumida, president and CEO of MACE, said: “The teamwork, learning and skills needed to decide on the future use of an air source heat pump will support the young people in their future move into the world of work and a design and development engineer was extremely impressed with the ideas generated by all the schools”.
Linda Scott, chief executive of West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, said: “The aim of Pump It Up is to support young people in creating skills required for their future development. There are innumerable benefits for a young person taking part in an industryled competition like this one.
“These are derived from the experience of teamwork, leadership, planning and strategy skills – all the ingredients they will need to take forward into the work place.”
Rodney Ayre from MACE said: “Pump It Up empowers these young people to apply their Stem knowledge and skills, enhancing their learning experience within the engineering environment.
“It’s crucial that we continue to support the skills and ingenuity which will drive the industry forward for decades to come.”
At the final pupils pitched their heat pump ideas to a panel of judges including Daisuke Matsunaga, Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh, and Mr Sumida.
Livingston MSP Angela Constance told the gathered pupils, parents and dignitaries: “I am extremely proud of these young people, who have shown such impressive innovation and ideas.
“I urge these pupils to keep holding on to their good ideas as in the future I am sure they will all be successes and continue to make us proud.”
West Lothian Chamber of Commerce plays a pivotal role in supporting employment for young people through partnerships with business and education.