As part of its journey promoting sustainable mobility, clean energy and care for the environment, the Energy BYD Challenge stopped off in Santa Margalida last week. With the participation of around 120 pupils from Years 4 and 5 at CEIP Eleonor Bosch —three classes from each year group— the event kicked off at 10.00 am in Plaça de la Vila, where the pupils arrived in groups to immerse themselves in a day that was as educational as it was interactive.
In the town centre, a comprehensive installation with various activities awaited them. Among these, the marquee housing the energy-generating exercise bikes stood out, becoming the main attraction of the morning. By pedalling, the children were able to see for themselves how it is possible to generate electricity through their own physical effort, monitoring their energy output in real time on the screens connected to the bikes. Everyone took part and competed against each other to see who could generate the most energy by pedalling. The results were displayed on information screens.
Alongside this main activity, the programme included other initiatives aimed at raising awareness of sustainability. An informative video introduced the students to the basics of electric mobility, accompanied by an interactive quiz that tested their knowledge. Participation was also very high, as the younger students were motivated to answer correctlythe questions relating to sustainable mobility and electric vehicles. Along the same lines, they were able to get a close look at eco-friendly vehicles designed for maintenance tasks, as well as view content focusing on renewable energy and its role in the current green transition.
But it wasn’t just competition that was on the agenda; creativity also had its place, with a workshop in which the pupils designed potential posters for future editions of the Energy BYD Challenge. Many of them chose to draw planets, electric vehicles and various renewable energy systems. This was complemented by an activity combining physical exercise and recycling: a relay race in which participants had to correctly sort different types of waste into their corresponding bins.
Furthermore, they also had the chance to exercise their memory skills with a giant memory game featuring various images and phrases related to sustainable consumption habits. After the activities, the pupils recharged their batteries with a snack of fresh fruit and water, as well as receiving a small gift: a Mallorcan tomato seedling to take home and continue connecting with the natural environment in their daily lives.
The event was also attended by the Mayor of Santa Margalida, Martí Torres, who wished to accompany the schoolchildren in this experience focused on sustainability, demonstrating the council’s support for this type of educational initiative. The mayor rated the activity as “very positive” and emphasised that “introducing young people to concepts such as clean energy or sustainable mobility through practical experience is key to raising awareness from an early age”. “It is they who will have to face the challenges of the future, and doing so with knowledge and engagement is essential,” he added. Also present were the Councillor for Social Services, Miquel Estelrich and councillors Rocío Romero and Marsita Alomar.
The teaching staff at CEIP Eleonor Bosch, who were deeply involved throughout the day, also highlighted the educational value of the initiative. The teachers agreed that this type of activity, complemented by preparatory work in the classroom, allows pupils to learn in a more dynamic and experiential way, facilitating their understanding of concepts linked to sustainability and respect for the environment.
The Energy BYD Challenge activities were made possible thanks to the Santa Margalida Town Council, the Balearic Islands Government’s Department of Enterprise, Employment and Energy, and BYD Quadis Dream, with the collaboration of Qwello, TBC, the Saica Foundation, Viveros Can Juanito, GRAM and Scoobic. The Energy BYD Challenge is an initiative that aims to raise awareness of the importance of energy saving and the responsible use of resources, particularly among primary school pupils in Mallorca.
Through a participatory activity —involving cycling on bikes that generate real energy— the project offers a practical introduction to the value of clean energy and energy efficiency. The challenge, which has already taken place in Llucmajor, Pollensa and Inca, will continue its tour of the island in the coming weeks in Alaró, Campos and s’Alqueria Blanca.