STUDENTS at Small Heath School and Sixth Form Centre saw first-hand the power of hydrogen when a team of scientists visited them to launch Birmingham Science City’s ‘Big Hydrogen Challenge’.

Designed to highlight the important role hydrogen can play in meeting future, low-carbon energy demands, the workshop featured a number of experiments and gave pupils the chance to build their own hydrogen and solar-powered model cars.

On the back of the experiment, Birmingham Science City’s ‘Big Hydrogen Challenge’ is now open to 11 to 14-year-olds to design their vision of the hydrogen car of the future.

Dr Pam Waddell, director of Birmingham Science City, said: “Both the experiment and our Big Hydrogen Challenge have been designed to show children that science is not just restricted to the classroom, but has many important and exciting applications for our future.

“The team had a great time at Small Heath School and hope the pupils were encouraged to think about future energy sources and applications.

“Birmingham Science City is leading the way in the generation, storage and use of hydrogen and other low carbon technologies through its Science City Research Alliance activities.

“We hope our visit will spur some of the future scientists of Birmingham to find out more.”

Peter Slough, head of Small Heath School, said: “Making science fun and interesting is a great way of engaging pupils and the Big Hydrogen Challenge has really captured the imagination of our students.

“Many of them are realising just how important science is for the future and why studying it at school is so valuable.”

The Big Hydrogen Challenge is open to all 11 to 14-year-olds.

* Entry forms can be downloaded from www.birminghamsciencecity.co.uk. Entries should be sent to Katie Allsopp, McCann Erickson Communications House, Highlands Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 4WE, or katie.allsopp@europe.mccann.com. The closing date is September 9.