Welcome to the Big Green Challenge!
The Big Green Challenge is a debating competition for S2 pupils in the Highlands and Islands area. The competition focuses on renewable energy and will test the topical science knowledge and debating skills of all participants.
Following the success of the competitions held in 2006-07 and 2008-09, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is pleased to offer all secondary schools in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland the opportunity to take part in the next Big Green Challenge.
The Big Green Challenge aims to raise awareness and understanding of renewable energy by giving young people the opportunity to research and debate the issues surrounding this important topic. It will also highlight the important role the Highlands and Islands is playing and could continue to play in the development of a green, sustainable future.
The region has the potential to foster its natural resources and become recognised as a dynamic world leader in renewable energy. The competition will also promote the career opportunities open to young people in this emerging sector.
This year the structure of the competition has been altered to reflect the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) in Scottish schools.
Following consultation with teachers, it has been agreed that the competition will be open to all S2 pupils, and should involve a whole class, making the most of the cross-curricular themes (English, Modern Studies, Geography and topical Science).
From the class the best team of three will go through to the local heats, battling it out against other local schools. Eight local heats will take place in selected schools and locations across the regions. The eight winning teams will then go through to the finals, which be judged by a panel of renewable energy experts and will take place over two days in a high profile location. Last year’s final was presented by BBC broadcaster Cathy MacDonald.
Each team’s job is to progress to the next stage by winning the judges over through convincing arguments. Experts will be on hand to visit schools and give teams coaching hints and tips.
Proposed Timescales
- Schools will receive an information pack about the competition w/c 13th September
- Inter-schools competitions to identify the team going forward will take place between October and December 2010
- Eight local heats to take place between January and March 2011
- Finals take place in March or April 2011
- Prizes taken in May 2011
There are prizes at every stage of the competition, with a grand prize of an overseas trip to visit cutting edge examples of renewable energy generation. The runners up prizes will include a team trip, alongside a range of goodies so all finalists will receive recognition of their achievement.
If you are interested in participating in the next Big Green Challenge, please register at BGC@hient.co.uk with your name, school and contact details.
Information packs will be sent out to schools with further details on the competition, if you have any queries email the Big Green Challenge team at BGC@hient.co.uk.
2008-09 Competition
Congratulations to the winners of the Big Green Challenge 2008/9 - Sandwick Junior High School from Shetland, who win a trip to see renewable energy in action in Iceland.
Well done to all the teams who took part, and our thanks to the judges, host and audience for making the Grand Final such a great day.
Congratulations to all the teams who made it through to the Grand Final:
| Sandwick Junior High School |
| Arran High School |
| Gairloch High School |
| Portree High School |
To download the latest issue of GreenZine, click here. Issue 1 and Issue 2 are both still available, too.
The Big Green Challenge event was broadcast live on the Scottish Parliament broadcasting website.
You can also view a list of all the teams who have taken part this year.
Read the Gaelic version of this page
Leugh dreach Gàidhlig an duilleag seo
The Big Green Challenge is organised and sponsored by:
