During the Year Two competition, members of the EcoCAR leadership along with the Communication Managers from six of the competition teams visited the Engineering Club of Abraham Lincoln High School in San Diego for Education Day. Education Day gives members of the EcoCAR program the opportunity to share information on the EcoCAR project, hybrid technology, and STEM education with a local community.
At the San Diego Education Day, Connie Bezanson, U.S. Department of Energy Education & Outreach Manager, along with John Haraf, GM Director for Electrification Controls Integration, presented information on the history of AVTCs, the importance of STEM education and the automotive industry as well as an overview of technology in the development of the Chevrolet Volt. The Communication Managers from Arizona State, Cal State Los Angeles, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, and the University of Waterloo presented an overview of their team’s EcoCAR 3 project.
The 30 junior and senior students participated in a vehicle design project relative to the EcoCAR process. Students were divided in to seven teams with the communication managers and EcoCAR Leaders serving as mentors. The teams were given a profile of two potential customers and performance information on three categories of hybrid propulsion system components (engine, electric motors, high voltage battery). Students were tasked with evaluating the customer profiles and determining which customer to be their target market. Based on the target market, teams selected hybrid components for their vehicle architecture. The data on the selected components was then calculated to determine the performance characteristics and cost for their vehicle. Teams leaders were then chosen to defend their project to the class.
Finally, the students were invited to experience a vehicle walk-around of the 2016 Chevrolet Volt and the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro. This opportunity allows the students to see the technology behind the vehicles and to understand the how the design project which they just experienced is relative to the EcoCAR 3 competition. Throughout the day, the Lincoln High students were encouraged to ask questions about the vehicles, the technology, EcoCAR, college life and STEM careers.
Check out some of the images from the Education Day here:
