Radio Shed

Horniman Primary School, London

Julia Clark, the Head Teacher of Horniman Primary School  had the brilliant idea of building a bicycle-powered radio station in the school playground. A few months after winning a prize fund in The Guardian 'Schools We'd Like' competition, Julia's dream came true and the Horniman Primary School Bicycle Power Radio Station was launched!

This is an almost real-time system; there are no batteries. The pupils have to work together to provide a constant supply of energy for the DJ by pedalling the bicycles or turning the hand crank inside the shed. There is a small storage unit in the shape of an ultra capacitor inside the shed which holds the energy before it is turned into mains power. The teachers plan to use the equipment for science classes and for engaging the children about renewable energy. 

The project was a collaboration between artist Randy Klein, Horniman Primary School Students, Parents and Electric Pedals.