Pedal Prix
Pedal Prix – Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Events
The Pedal Prix is an event where teams of eight students manufacture, repair and maintain a human powered ‘Pedal Prix’ vehicle. The vehicle needs to meet certain specifications which are taken into account in the design phase. The team of 8 students then compete in three races across the year – two 6-hour races at Victoria Park Raceway and the final event, a 24-hour endurance race at Murray Bridge.
HPV events require teams to plan and devise a competition strategy to complete each event with an efficient HPV. The Series provides an environment in which young people can demonstrate:
- Innovation (lateral thinking, entrepreneurial thinking, creativity in engineering)
- Risk taking (design, planning and problem solving, entrepreneurial skills)
- Collaborative learning (team skills, communication, co-operation and working with industries)
- Confidence (taking on challenges, undertaking a task that requires perseverance and commitment, but is achievable)
- Appreciation (understanding the nature and the relationship of human power and alternative energies to materials and manufacturing systems)
- Generates enthusiasm, industry and commitment amongst students
- Gives practical relevance to many areas of study
- Encourages cross-curriculum linkages
- Brings together a broad cross-section of people to plan and work cooperatively
- Generates other linkages between educational institutions, business and industry and community groups.
There are a number of parts to being involved in the pedal prix at Brighton Secondary School. This includes fitness training and fundraising throughout the year, regular attendance at meetings, returning of forms etc. and being involved in the building and maintenance of the vehicles. Students in year 10 and 11 can take on the role of team manager and earn themselves a SACE unit.
We currently have two new HPVs and are building a new one this year.
