Counties Energy Supports Inter-School EPro8 Challenge for Young Innovators

Counties Energy is excited to support Franklin’s 2024 EPro8 Challenge, a dynamic inter-school science and engineering competition that brings together students from 10 local schools.

This is the fifth year that the lines company has partnered with EPro8 to bring this challenge, focused on critical thinking and innovation, to teams of local students competing for the prestigious title of EPro8 Challenge Champion.

Counties Energy General Manager Network Paul Blue says the company is enthusiastic about encouraging the next generation of engineers in the community.

“We are excited to contribute to a programme that not only promotes scientific and engineering pursuits but also fuels the imaginations of our future innovators. It’s great to see local tamariki unleash their creativity and tackle engineering challenges with such enthusiasm,” Blue says.

The challenges range across Year 5 -13 age groups, incorporating science, electronics, engineering, mathematics and teamwork.

Participants work with hands-on equipment like gears, wheels, pulleys, nuts, bolts and electronics, facing exciting tasks such as building an air conditioning system, designing a roller coaster and constructing a washing machine. This year’s winning schools included Glenbrook School and Pukekohe Intermediate School.

Each year, over 25,000 students nationwide participate in the EPro8 Challenge, which inspires a passion for engineering, problem-solving and innovation – core values at the heart of the challenge.