Spring Break
ECU Pre-College students win second place for technical innovation
Students race alternative-fuel vehicles
Jimmy Galloway
Issue date: 6/11/08 Section: News
On May 17, ECU's North Carolina-Mathematics and Science Education Network (NC-MSEN) Pre-College students joined several hundred other students in Raleigh to race alternative-fuel vehicles they constructed for the 13th Annual Electric Vehicle challenge.
Two students representing ECU, Erin Sawyer from Creswell School in Washington County and Essence Wagstaff from Greenwood Middle School in Wayne County won second place for technical innovation, bringing home a trophy for ECU's program.
Sawyer and Wagstaff spent months constructing and testing their solar-powered model race car, so when many cars did not get away from the starting line, they saw theirs perform just as planned.
"These girls very quickly figured out what kind of things they needed to do to construct a car that would be aerodynamic and also take advantage of solar power," said Pre-College Director Nancy Evans.
The event was sponsored by the nonprofit organization SMARTT Challenge (Students Making Advancements in Renewable Transportation Technology) and held at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. The Electric Vehicle challenge aims to educate students and citizens about the environmental benefits of using alternative-fuel technologies.
The SMARTT Challenge is the country's premier alternative fuel education program, and it incorporates several areas of study, including math, engineering, science, language arts and more. It is sponsored by the nonprofit Carolina Electric Vehicle Coalition, Inc. in Wake County.
The NC-MSEN Pre-College Program at ECU offers rigorous science and mathematics-based enrichment classes to students in grades 6-12. The activities include career awareness programs, academic advising and tutoring, leadership training, academic competitions, and laboratory experiences in science, technology, and mathematics. During the school year, students attend Saturday academies on ECU's campus, and participate in a summer scholars program.
It is designed to increase the number of students prepared to pursue college majors and careers in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. Approximately 98 percent of the program's graduates enroll in a college or university, and 85 percent of those pursue majors and careers in science, mathematics, technology or engineering. Generally, graduates of the program attend NC colleges and universities and choose in-state careers.
The NC-MSEN program was founded in 1986 and currently has nine Pre-College sites, including NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte and Western Carolina University. ECU's program began in the summer of 2007 with a group of sixth and seventh grade students. It is a part of the Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology Education in the College of Education. Currently, there are four school districts that partner with ECU's program: Edgecombe, Lenoir, Washington and Wayne counties.
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com
Two students representing ECU, Erin Sawyer from Creswell School in Washington County and Essence Wagstaff from Greenwood Middle School in Wayne County won second place for technical innovation, bringing home a trophy for ECU's program.
Sawyer and Wagstaff spent months constructing and testing their solar-powered model race car, so when many cars did not get away from the starting line, they saw theirs perform just as planned.
"These girls very quickly figured out what kind of things they needed to do to construct a car that would be aerodynamic and also take advantage of solar power," said Pre-College Director Nancy Evans.
The event was sponsored by the nonprofit organization SMARTT Challenge (Students Making Advancements in Renewable Transportation Technology) and held at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. The Electric Vehicle challenge aims to educate students and citizens about the environmental benefits of using alternative-fuel technologies.
The SMARTT Challenge is the country's premier alternative fuel education program, and it incorporates several areas of study, including math, engineering, science, language arts and more. It is sponsored by the nonprofit Carolina Electric Vehicle Coalition, Inc. in Wake County.
The NC-MSEN Pre-College Program at ECU offers rigorous science and mathematics-based enrichment classes to students in grades 6-12. The activities include career awareness programs, academic advising and tutoring, leadership training, academic competitions, and laboratory experiences in science, technology, and mathematics. During the school year, students attend Saturday academies on ECU's campus, and participate in a summer scholars program.
It is designed to increase the number of students prepared to pursue college majors and careers in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. Approximately 98 percent of the program's graduates enroll in a college or university, and 85 percent of those pursue majors and careers in science, mathematics, technology or engineering. Generally, graduates of the program attend NC colleges and universities and choose in-state careers.
The NC-MSEN program was founded in 1986 and currently has nine Pre-College sites, including NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte and Western Carolina University. ECU's program began in the summer of 2007 with a group of sixth and seventh grade students. It is a part of the Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology Education in the College of Education. Currently, there are four school districts that partner with ECU's program: Edgecombe, Lenoir, Washington and Wayne counties.
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Bob
posted 3/07/09 @ 8:06 PM EST
i think it is great that our youth is taking intrest in solar technology.
Holly Colburn
posted 3/16/09 @ 9:27 AM EST
I thank you for the opportunity to share a portion of my moments in time with future generations.
Caroline Pellyn
posted 3/20/09 @ 12:09 PM EST
That looks like lots of fun. When I was in college we didn't had so many fun activities.
Cheryl Sawyer
posted 3/26/09 @ 9:31 AM EST
This is a wonderful program and my daughter loves attending and participating in every event and competition. Erin and Essence are partners in Jr. Solar Sprint again this year and we're expecting great things from these girls in the future. (Continued…)
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