More than 120 pupils from schools in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Caithness and Clackmannanshire took part in the event on Sunday (June 22), at the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford. They drove their electric-powered cars and competed against each other.

A team of five pupils from Alford Academy won the top prize, which included a trip to drive their car at the Greenpower National Final at Goodwood, plus the Best Engineered car award.

Shell sponsored the event and will also fund the winning team to represent Scotland at Goodwood. Jim Niven, Shell's stakeholder manager said: "We are delighted to support this event to encourage kids to take an interest in engineering and technology. It gives them an invaluable opportunity to experience these subjects hands-on, while also gaining skills in teamwork, business, design and marketing. On top of this, the whole process of planning, building and racing the cars is great fun for them."

Banchory Academy also won an award for best presented team.

The project was divided into separate 'formulae' to suit different age groups and to allow continuity from primary right through to S6: Primary 7 (Formula Goblin - a 24 volt electric motor and 2x12volt batteries); S1-S4 (Formula 24 - a 24 volt electric motor and 4x12 volt batteries) and post 16 years (Formulae 35 and Catapult - as F24 with added suspension). Each stage builds and develops the skills gained from the previous Formula.

Students were encouraged to run the project as a racing team, focusing not just on the engineering challenge but also considering the marketing, sponsorship and business aspects involved.

The project was initiated and managed by TechFest-SetPoint, a charity organisation whose aim is to promote science, technology, engineering and maths to young people. It is hoped this will become an annual event and that even more schools and/or clubs will take up the challenge next year.