Bridgestone World Solar Challenge raises STEM skills

Bridgestone sponsors the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, where university students from around the world travel across Australia in self-built and designed solar vehicles.

The biennial event covers 3000km from Darwin to Adelaide.

A past survey of EVolocity participants showed a significant rise in science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills and interest, with 90% of respondents learning new engineering skills.

More than half fully understood the benefits of electric vehicles, as well as developing new electronic and team project skills.

Bridgestone has partnered with EVolocity, and Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand managing director Stephen Roche says EVolocity is a prime example of how Bridgestone gives back to the communities it operates within.

“We’re excited by this new partnership with EVolocity because it fosters the skills required for the development of sustainable mobility,” says Roche.

“EVolocity is an ideal extension of our Bridgestone World Solar Challenge partnership because it speaks to the same core values as our global sponsorship and has proven to encourage students’ interest and knowledge in sustainable mobility.”

Bridgestone’s director of New Zealand business John Staples says New Zealand has been under-represented in the challenge.

“One of the aims of the EVolocity partnership is to inspire the next generation of engineers and ultimately see an entry from a New Zealand university in the coming years,” says Staples.

The 2019 challenge will run from October 13 to 20.