St Kentigern's Academy from Blackburn has been crowned the winner of this year's Mitsubishi Electric 'Pump It Up!' Challenge. Now in its 10th year, the competition involved over 800 pupils from eight participating West Lothian secondary schools. Third-year pupils were tasked with coming up with an innovative use for a heat pump, demonstrating an understanding of sustainable energy, and working effectively as a team.
Winning Idea: Heated Shelters
The winners presented a passionate and detailed presentation of their idea, Heated Shelters. They designed a heat pump system and solar panels to support homelessness worldwide by ensuring warmth for all in an environmentally friendly fashion.
Industry-Education Collaboration
The annual challenge is a joint venture between Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe and West Lothian Chamber of Commerce. Its aim is to strengthen the connection between industry and education while helping young people develop valuable skills for their future careers.
Prior to the final at Howden Park Centre in Livingston, engineers from Mitsubishi Electric visited all participating schools to select one team per school for the final. There, they presented their ideas to a panel of judges, their peers, family, and friends, alongside the business community.
Distinguished Guests
Guests included Mr Taro Hattori, President of Mitsubishi Electric; Mr Katsutoshi Takeda, Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh; and Dr Elaine Cook, Deputy Chief Executive for Corporate, Operational and Housing Services for West Lothian Council. Mr Hattori highlighted the importance of raising awareness of the role heat pumps play in protecting the environment and reducing carbon emissions. He also emphasised the value of collaboration between Mitsubishi Electric, the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, and West Lothian Council in engaging young people in an initiative that could help inspire the next generation of ideas and innovations in this field.
Comments from Organisers
Rodney Ayre, Senior Department Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems, said: “The Pump It Up final was a truly inspiring celebration of young talent, with over 800 pupils showcasing their creativity, teamwork and passion for renewable energy. It’s fantastic to see students applying their learning to real-world challenges while building skills for future careers in engineering and green energy. Events like this are vital in connecting industry and education and nurturing the next generation of innovators.”
West Lothian Chamber of Commerce chief executive Linda Scott added: “Partnership working between education and business on projects such as the Pump It Up Challenge is incredibly important. Initiatives like this can only enhance a young person’s future in the world of work.”
Runners-Up
Runners-up were last year's winners St Margaret's Academy and Deans Community High School. St Margaret's demonstrated how to reduce water waste with a heat pump converting excess into heat, while Deans Community High School was recognised for its teamwork in showing how heat pumps could be used to heat and cool car engines.
