Sep 18 - Students Informed on the Dangers of FOD and Wonders of Electric Cars
Ahead of this weekend’s flagship Clean Up the World movement, in keeping with the environmental theme, students of all Gibraltar schools were invited to RAF Gibraltar for an insight into this year’s topical environmental issues; electric and hybrid vehicles and Foreign Object Debris on Gibraltar’s Runway.
The morning included talks by Xavier Van der Stappen of I-Care, who initiated a development program for electric vehicles as a solution to mobility problems that the world is facing. He displayed prototype vehicles that put revolutionised the ideal that alternative mobility is possible through new technologies.
A further talk was hosted by RAF Flight Safety Officer Flt Lt Webb, outlining the dangers of foreign object debris on the runway in Gibraltar. A display featured the two vehicles used frequently by RAF Gibraltar to sweep the runway of any possible debris that could be detrimental to incoming and outgoing aircraft. Two competitions were announced to the first group of school children. Bayside’s Year 8 group. The group was challenged with finding a golden bolt hidden in the display. Winners Ivan Hernandez and Jamie Dickson were awarded a selection of RAF Gibraltar goodies. All Gibraltar school children were also challenged with designing a poster warning the public about FOD. The winner would have their poster displayed around Gibraltar and have the chance to act as Station Commander for the RAF for a day.
Organiser of the entire Clean Up the World campaign, the ESG’s Janet Howitt explained at the talk that she chose these topics to build awareness around following discussions with I-Care’s Xavier and with the knowledge that this is held every year, interested parties request to showcase certain issues during the campaign. The actual cleaning up of Gibraltar will commence this Saturday at 11am after the teams meet in Casemates Square. This weekend will also see an exhibition hosted by the CUTW campaigners and an electric car rally on Sunday, including all of Gibraltar’s electric vehicles.
