Villach, Austria, 20–24 July 2026 – Carinthia University of Applied Sciences successfully hosted its CU TECH Camp 2026, welcoming 34 young participants aged 12 to 15 to its Villach and Klagenfurt campuses for a week of hands-on learning, experimentation, and teamwork in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The TECH Camp offered young minds the opportunity to explore several future-oriented fields, including drone programming, electronics, computer science, medical technology, multimedia, and sustainable energy technologies. Among the five camp formats, Camp 4: Team Hydrogen Racer stood out as a particularly relevant activity in the context of the H2GreenFUTURE project, directly supporting the objectives of pilot implementation of the H2GreenFUTURE training programme developed under the Interreg programme Slovenia-Austria.
Team Hydrogen Racer: Building the Car of the Future
Under the theme “Build your own car of the future!”, participants in Team Hydrogen Racer worked together to design, assemble, and test hydrogen-powered model vehicles. Through this practical workshop, youth experienced first-hand how hydrogen technologies can convert chemical energy into clean motion.
Step by step, the young participants explored the basic principles of hydrogen propulsion, experimented with vehicle design, tested propulsion systems, and improved their models through teamwork and problem-solving. The camp concluded with an exciting hydrogen race, where the participants were able to demonstrate the results of their work in a dynamic and engaging way.
By combining theory with hands-on experimentation, Team Hydrogen Racer provided an accessible introduction to hydrogen technologies, clean energy, and sustainable mobility. The activity helped pupils better understand the role of hydrogen as a future energy carrier and encouraged them to think creatively about climate-friendly transport solutions.
Supporting the H2GreenFUTURE Training Programme
The Team Hydrogen Racer activity was closely aligned with the goals of the H2GreenFUTURE project, particularly Work Package 3, which focuses on the pilot implementation of the H2GreenFUTURE training programme. The workshop served as an example of how hydrogen-related knowledge can be introduced to younger audiences through practical, age-appropriate, and interactive learning formats.
The activity contributed to the broader goals of H2GreenFUTURE by:
- raising awareness of hydrogen technologies among young learners,
- promoting interest in STEM education,
- demonstrating clean energy concepts through practical experimentation,
- encouraging teamwork, innovation, and problem-solving,
- supporting early engagement with sustainable technology careers.
Through Team Hydrogen Racer, the CU TECH Camp demonstrated how educational pilots can make complex topics such as hydrogen energy understandable, tangible, and exciting for pupils.
The successful implementation of Team Hydrogen Racer confirms the value of interactive learning approaches in strengthening young people’s interest in technology, research, innovation, and sustainable solutions. It also demonstrates how the H2GreenFUTURE training programme can contribute to building awareness and skills for a cleaner, hydrogen-enabled future. Interested in seeing what the hydrogen-powered cars of the future look like? Watch the video below.