Fuelling Ivybridge Community College’s Greenpower Team

As part of Plessey’s ongoing partnership with Ivybridge Community College, we have donated £3,000 to support their all-girls Greenpower team as they continue to design, build and race their electric car.

The Greenpower challenge gives young people the opportunity to apply engineering principles in a practical environment, working together to develop and race an electric vehicle.

The funding will help the team access additional resources and equipment as they continue developing their car and building on their performance at national Greenpower events.

Alongside financial support, Plessey’s engineering ambassadors will provide hands-on mentoring and technical guidance. By connecting the students with people working in engineering, the partnership will help them develop practical STEM skills, explore future career opportunities and build confidence in their abilities.

STEM Lead at Ivybridge Community College, Luke Skorka-Brown, said:

“We’re incredibly grateful for Plessey’s support. As the only all-girls team from a comprehensive school currently competing in the Greenpower challenge, we’re passionate about showing young women what’s possible in engineering.

This funding will help us take the next step in our development. We’re already achieving strong results on the track, but additional resources, equipment and access to technical expertise will make a real difference to our performance.

Beyond the practical benefits, this investment sends a powerful message to our students that their ambitions are valued. Opportunities to connect with industry professionals and gain insight into future careers help our students build confidence, develop new skills and see themselves in STEM roles they may never have previously considered.

The support from Plessey is helping us create opportunities for the next generation of female engineers, while giving our team the tools and encouragement to continue pushing boundaries both on and off the track. We’re excited to see what we can achieve together in the seasons ahead.”

Practical experiences such as the Greenpower challenge allow students to turn classroom learning into real engineering decisions, from designing and building the car to testing its performance on the track.

The project also helps students develop wider skills, including teamwork, communication, creativity and problem-solving.

Through funding and mentoring, Plessey is helping young women strengthen their technical knowledge, recognise their potential and see a future for themselves in engineering.