Energy Breakthrough

The Energy Breakthrough Challenge is an exciting program designed to provide opportunities for students, teachers, parents and local industry to work together to design and construct a vehicle, a machine or innovation in technology that will represent an ‘energy breakthrough’. The Energy Breakthrough began in 1991 when the Country Education Project began seeking new ways to engage young people in regional Victoria with a wider range of challenges. The program encourages participants to examine and use the latest technology while considering its impact on the environment and the way people live locally and globally.

The Energy Breakthrough isn’t just a once-a-year event!

School groups work throughout the year to design, build and test vehicles or machines within detailed specifications. It requires a team effort and an across-the-curriculum approach. These groups then bring their vehicles and machines to Maryborough in November, for a huge celebration in which they can demonstrate and trial them in action.

There are three program elements:

Display & Presentation:  A 20 minute presentation to judges for team members to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of their entry. This presentation requires students to be imaginative and creative, while presenting information about their journey with Human Powered Racing. Topics covered include community involvement, sponsorships, teamwork, training, nutrition and hydration and safety. 

Scrutineering- Design & Construction:  An informal conversation  with volunteers assessing the student’s understanding of the vehicle and the concepts involved in its design and construction. Thorough checks of safety equipment are looked at and students are expected to have knowledge on these features of the trike. They will be required to talk the volunteers through the safety checks involved and show them the safety equipment the riders wear as part of the race. 

Trials:  Thousands of students ranging in age from nine to eighteen push, pedal and pilot carts, human powered vehicles and energy efficient vehicles in dynamic tests that can last as long as 24 hours. Our MPS Racing students compete in the 14 hour time trial, split over two days.  With a practice session that last 2 hours, the day before the 14 hour trial begins. 

This really is the race of the year! The highlight for all MPS Racing participants. 

Check out our gallery for photos of our time at Energy Breakthrough 2023-2025!