Retail giant AO sets vehicle challenge for South Cheshire schools

Online electricals retailer AO are calling on young minds across South Cheshire to help reduce their carbon footprint.

The Big Bang Green Logistics Challenge is a competition for schools across the borough to design an environmentally friendly vehicle for the AO logistics team.

Year 9, 10 and 12 students at participating schools are encouraged to research and create a new vehicle which will reduce or even eliminate carbon emissions from the AO delivery fleet.

The final will take place at Big Bang @ Crewe – a local fair celebrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects and innovation – on March 28.

Hosted at Crewe Engineering and Design UTC, finalists will present their ideas to improve the sustainability of AO deliveries.

The Challenge supports ‘The Future of Mobility,’ one of four ‘Grand Challenges’ set by the Government’s local industry strategy.

Alongside prizes worth more than £1,200, there will be mentoring and work experience opportunities available at AO’s logistic hub in Crewe.

Kerrie Salisbury, Future Talent Advisor at AO, said: “The Challenge is a fantastic opportunity to bring the world of logistics alive with real-life problems we face in the sector.

“Some of the issues are very large scale, as our AO vans are in every postcode every day to guarantee next day delivery.

“We hope the students enjoy creating a solution for our vehicles and that they consider logistics as an exciting career path in the future.”

Liam McDaid, Principal at Crewe Engineering and Design UTC, said: “We are proud to be hosting the Challenge because it is a great opportunity for students across the region to engage with STEM.

“Our students have been working hard to find solutions and we are all looking forward to the innovative ideas that every school brings to the competition.

“We’d like to thank AO for organising this event which allows us to showcase our facilities – including our new project room.”

As an employment partner of the technical college since November 2018, AO have branded up a new project room in the building where students can work on their ideas.

To sponsor a prize, run a workshop or get involved with the Big Bang Green Challenge, please contact Kerrie Salisbury on [email protected]

Tickets to Big Bang @ Crewe are available on Eventbrite here.