By Ella Hart / Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Earlier this year, the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology & Ivy Tech Community College’s BattChallenge team held a youth outreach event with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Wabash Valley, giving BattChallengers a chance to connect with area youth, share what we do, and encourage kids to explore STEM.
The event began with an introduction to the RHIT & Ivy Tech team’s work and our passion for electric vehicles.
“Teaching kids about EVs was not only fun but also incredibly rewarding,” said Jack Martin, project manager and a RHIT senior majoring in mechanical engineering. “Their curiosity and enthusiasm made the experience so interesting for everyone involved.”
We talked not only about what the Battery Workforce Challenge was, but also explained how EVs work and showed the kids some of the ways we apply STEM concepts in real life. Our key activity was building balloon-powered cars, where BattChallengers teamed up with kids from Big Brothers Big Sisters.
This activity was designed to relate how electric vehicles and EV batteries work, offering a fun and interactive way to understand the principles of energy storage and power.
To make it even more fun, teams competed to see whose final car design performed best, sparking creativity and teamwork.
Connecting with the community
Our team members worked closely with the students, sharing experiences and answering questions. The BattChallengers and BBBS mentees worked together to create the best car they could, using common household items. These one-on-one moments helped build connections and created an open, friendly environment for learning and collaboration.
Making an impact
Ivy Tech Community College Student Chris Sanders summed it up well, “This event wasn’t just about sharing knowledge — it was about encouraging kids to try new things and think big!”
The excitement during the car races and the smiles at the end of the day showed just how much fun everyone had while learning something new.
Partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters for this event was such a rewarding experience. It’s always a pleasure to engage with the community and help spark an interest in STEM. These events remind us why outreach is such an important part of what we do.
Want to be part of future events like this? Follow RHIT & Ivy Tech’s BattChallenge team on Instagram, volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, or join us for upcoming outreach activities. Learn more on our team website or reach out to us at battchallengerhit@gmail.com.
