More than 400 primary and secondary school pupils recently took part in the Greenpower Electric Car Racing Challenge at Predannack Airfield.

The event was organised by the Greenpower Education Trust and hosted by RNAS Culdrose’s Engineering Training School.

The challenge involves students in three age categories designing and building an electric car to race.

Age appropriate kit cars, which could be built at school, were provided to participating teams who then raced them at Predannack.

Royal Navy sailors from RNAS Culdrose volunteered to help and the navy’s fire engine also blasted out a spray of water to help the children cool down afterwards.

Greenpower Challenge is a national project that harnesses the excitement of motorsport to inspire more than 10,000 participants a year to excel in STEM subjects.

Cornwall College sponsored the Duchy leg of the challenge. They said it was a ‘fantastic day’ adding: “Everyone had great fun, with some added friendly rivalry and competition. Dozens of schools, and hundreds of pupils came together to celebrate STEM. Well done to everyone who competed and took part. It was a pleasure to be the main sponsors of the event.”

The event was praised by schools afterwards.