Electric Vehicle Challenge
This yearly event challenges middle school students to use engineering skills, creative thinking, experimentation, and teamwork. Teams design and build small, electric battery-powered model cars to compete in a speed race. Students benefit from this inquiry-based, physical science unit by learning the effects of friction, drag, inertia, speed, momentum, and gravity on car performance. They also learn the importance of design and precision in craftsmanship.
Every year students from Bethel, Eugene 4J, and Springfield school districts participate in the EV Engineering Challenge at each of their sites, with the winners of each district being invited to race at the EWEB EV Challenge regional event. The EV component offers a real-life approach with today’s vehicle options and renewable energy to the challenge.
Students will become informed with EWEB’s EV is the Future booklet, as well as a host of other materials included on the EWEB EV Challenge webpage. The event is held at the Lane County FairGrounds on a school day. Providing the event on a school day ensures a more equitable competition allowing actual winners of each class to get the chance to race the best teams from other schools across the county.
Design Thinking in Action
This challenging and fun project teaches students multiple skills related to engineering and design thinking, including:
- Product design process, including making a diagram.
- Hands-on, building experience and troubleshooting.
- Brainstorming of ideas.
- Making design decisions based on data.
- Teamwork and collaboration skills.
Electric vehicles intersect with multiple engineering disciplines, including electrical and mechanical engineering, showcasing the interdisciplinary nature of vehicle design, development, and deployment to advance our transportation system.
