By DANI ROTHWELL
COMPETING for their second year, Gleneagles students are broadening their minds through the Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) program.
The students spend the year designing and constructing a three-wheeled recumbent bicycle designed for racing.
The student-led program allows the students to make all of the decisions about the vehicles – right down to how to raise the money needed.
HPV Program Co-ordinator Daniel Bowen said this had been a pet project of his for a long time.
“I first experienced HPV racing and the Energy Breakthrough program back when I was in Grade 5 when I was a student at Mallacoota P-12 College in remote East Gippsland,” he said.
“Since becoming a PE teacher it has always been something I wanted to share with my students and with the support of Gleneagles I have been able to get it up and running as a Year 9 elective for a passionate group of students.”
The program allows for students to learn in non-traditional ways through metalwork, graphic design, driver safety, fund-raising and managing money.
The next race is in Bendigo, where the team will compete against 80 other teams.
This serves as practice for the final event in Maryborough, where they will compete with 100 other teams from around the country.
“From a teaching perspective it is great to be able to step back and become the facilitator in the classroom instead of being the teacher it really allows the student to ‘step up’ to their role,” Mr Bowen said.
“I am very passionate about it.
“Each event is much more than just racing a pedal powered car around a track – it is a celebration of the hard work the students put into training, designing and building their vehicle.”
Students represent their school at a variety of races throughout the year including in Knox, Casey Fields, Bendigo and Maryborough.
