Have you ever designed a battery pack on a pool table? PackMules have, allow me to introduce you. In Year 3 of the Battery Workforce Challenge PackMules are working to take their module and pack design and integrate them into the RAM ProMaster EV. Let’s hear from a few PackMules about their key takeways for BattChallenge this year
What are you looking forward to in Year 3?
- Jeremy Utt (Software Lead): I’m looking forward to actually seeing the van move, seeing all our hard work come together and seeing a moving vehicle.
What have you gained from being involved in BattChallenge?
- Grayson Graham (Vocational Deputy): I have gained a lot of knowledge, experience, and overall perspective. As a technician I don’t get to see the full engineering usually, or organize people. It’s been a really cool challenge to learn and gain that experience.
What’s your favorite thing about BattChallenge?
- Cameron Cox (Business Operations Team Member): My favorite thing is getting to know everyone in and out of the bay, not only getting to socialize with people about the competition, but also outside of it.
Why should others get involved in BattChallenge?
- Zack Rome (Financial Chair): It’s the best community on campus. Lots of professional development, and a really fun way to challenge yourself. You can kind of do whatever for the team, and it’s a great way to make friends.
What does it mean to you to be involved in BattChallenge?
- Anderson Naff (Manufacturing Lead): It’s not just a competition, but rather a community, where we all like to help each other, and a fun way to get involved and make connections. It’s very challenging, hence BattChallenge, but for that reason its very rewarding and helps you improve as a person.
On top of the team being hard at work, a strong team culture has been built. Even before this competition, multiple team members are alumni and old friends from the same local high school and independently ended up participating in BattChallenge across both vocational and university members. Another fun fact to lead to a strong culture is monthly social events, so PackMules can not only work together, but also make friendship bracelets and sing karaoke together, too. The workspace also has a convertible worktable/pool table so teammates can take breaks and hangout between meetings and classes.
While also having a strong team culture, there are a few more fun facts about the PackMules. Every semester of the challenge, the PackMules have had at least one woman in leadership, and this year the leadership team has hit 50/50 ratio of men and women. The team is also 10% from Residence Life, bringing in people who can mitigate problems, help communicate more clearly, and bring in unique perspectives.
PackMules are a strong working community full of unique individuals, with diverse backgrounds. Next time you’re in Golden, come play us in a game of pool, and follow our socials to keep up with our hard work in Year 3.
