Green
Motion was a cutting
edge educational program that involved Richmond High School
students in a real world project - the construction of
a full-size electric vehicle! Working with teachers and
members from their community, the students spent several
months converting an existing gasoline vehicle - RP&L's
Ford Escort- into a fully functioning and efficient electric
vehicle. Dozens of students from multiple disciplines
worked together to design and build the vehicle, as well
as raise the necessary funds for their project.
Once completed, the vehicle became the centerpiece of
a yearlong educational program and competition. Students
entered their vehicles in a wide range of events throughout
the year to test how well it operated. Complementing these
vehicle events were additional educational activities
such as designing a web page and other activities designed
to provide opportunities for the students to share what
they had learned with their community. At the end of the
year, all of the schools came together for the two-day
finale where students competed for overall champion.
Green Motion
was actually a part of an even larger program called the
EV Challenge. Its origins are in North Carolina
and many high schools have participated in this project
for quite some time. Green
Motion is the
first participant in the Indiana Chapter for the nationally
known EV Challenge. This program had a number of
organizations and enthusiasts that were necessary in driving
this program forward, such as Herb Davis from the Townsend
Center; Roy Reisinger, Richmond Community Schools; Bud
Ward; and Quintin Griffin and Harry Phillips from RP&L.
 |
The exterior of the car was designed by Danny Shaver
(center).
Pictured with Danny is Mike Rodell (far left), RCS teacher,
and RP&L General Manager, Dave Osburn.
|
|
