Scotland / Education

28 November 2023

The Mitsubishi Electric 'Pump it Up Challenge' has been running in all of our local High Schools for over a decade. The challenge returned last year after a hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic. We were welcomed with open arms by 11 High Schools.

The project entails each school breaking into groups to come up with an innovative product or use of a Mitsubishi Electric Heat Pump. Company representatives then visited each school to judge the projects and decide on a finalist for each school. Each student taking part is given a goody bag which includes a scientific calculator. Last year around 1,500 calculators were distributed.

A finalist from each school goes forward to compete in a Grand Final at the regional Civic Centre. Amongst the audience last year was our Company president - Mr Nagano, the Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh - Mr Fujiwara, Member of UK Parliament - Ms Hannah Bardell MP, Depute Chief Executive of West Lothian Council - Dr Elaine Cook, as well as other local dignitaries, teachers and parents.
The winner on the night was Deans Community High School for using heat pumps to run baby incubators, and runners-up were St Kentigern's Academy for recycled oven heating, and Broxburn Academy for using a heat pump to help grow food on Mars.

The 'Pump it Up Challenge' has been a great success, encouraging young people to think about environmental issues and how to solve them. The project has given our local community a greater awareness of what we do here at Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe, in Livingston, and the project was supported by West Lothian Council, The Chamber of Commerce, Developing the Young Workforce, and the local schools.
We are already looking to the next 'Pump it Up Challenge' again in 2024.