2024 edition of the Energy Breakthrough continues the tradition of innovation, excellence and overcoming epic challenges

With a 10% jump in numbers year-on-year, special guest Dr G from Texas in the USA for the launch of the Australian-first Sphero Global Challenge, a swag of interstate visitors for South Australia and New South Wales and a host of new vehicle innovations – excitement was surging throughout the Energy Breakthrough.

“I feel like our first year back from COVID in 2022, schools were battling to restart their EB programs. In 2023 it was about trying to build some momentum and growing interest amongst schools. This year, many schools were back to doing what they do best: innovating by creating new aerodynamic shapes, new vehicles and testing new technologies using carbon fibre, kevlar, titanium and 3D printing.” Education Team Leader, Nigel Preston said.

“Our schools remain passionate about hands-on learning, encouraging girls into Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) as well as bringing school communities together.”

The new Sphero Global Challenge is a robotics challenge which featured a series of coding missions for students to complete. With 25 entries in our first year, we are now targeting 60 entries from schools after the success this weekend!

The Country Education Partnership and Central Goldfields Shire Council have delivered an excellent edition of the Energy Breakthrough school’s program in Maryborough despite heatwave conditions for Primary school teams leading into rain for the Secondary schools 24 Hour Trial.

Deniliquin North Public School won the A1 Pushcart category for small schools and Jells Park Primary School the A2 Pushcart category for larger schools.
Avoca Primary School won the A1 and TRYathlon Primary class.
Beaconsfield Upper Primary School won the TRYathlon Primary Open class.

In the Primary school 14 hour trial, White Hills Primary School crossed the line first on track to improve from finishing in second place in 2024. However, it was Laurimar Primary School who were the overall A2 winners again. St Arnaud Primary School were a bolt from the blue to finish the Trial ahead of (friendly) arch-rivals Avoca PS, with the later winning the overall A1 Class win.

Whilst in the Secondary Trial, Bendigo Senior Secondary College’s pedal-electric vehicle overcame a bout of crashes and mechanical issues throughout the night to overcome a 15 lap deficit to the pedal-powered Berwick College to secure the win on track.

Full results available here:
https://results.eb.org.au/2024

With our dates for next year already set: Wednesday 19th November – Sunday 23rd November 2025 – we hope to see your school entering when entries open in March!