Nebraska high school students will participate in a competition April 21 that will test their mettle with light electric vehicles they’ve built themselves.
The Big Red Invitational Power Drive Competition for High School Students, at the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory track on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus, will be from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“The power drive program encourages interest in energy-related and automotive-related industries,” said Roger Hoy, director of the lab. “A light-electric vehicle competition, the power drive brings a practical focus to students' math, science and/or vocational education.
“During the course of a school year, students design and construct a safe, energy-efficient electric vehicle that they get to showcase during a series of rallies in the spring,” Hoy added. “They work in teams, under the direction of instructors who have been trained at power drive workshops.”
First-time participant schools receive starter kits and the program provides mentors and technical support to the teams when needed. Many of the mentors are OPPD/NPPD employees and retirees, who also volunteer their time to organize and conduct the competitions.
Participants will be able to enroll in a drawing for a $500 scholarship from UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
The event is sponsored by Omaha Public Power District, Nebraska Public Power District, the Nebraska Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program.