Racing for a better future

Just call them speed racers. This summer, 28 students from West Philadelphia High School were at Penn designing and preparing an electric car for a race next May. The kids were part of the Electric Vehicle Summer Program, a technology outreach program sponsored by Youth Works, the Access Science Program and the Engineering School. "While the program helps our students learn, it also gives back and improves our community through science and technology," said Joseph Sun, director of academic affairs for the Engineering school. The students spent the summer working on designing a vehicle that will race next May in the Tour de Sol, a race for electric vehicles from New York City to Washington, D.C. Next year will be the group's second time participating. "When we entered last year, we were the first inner-city team that participated," said Simon Hauger, a math and science teacher at West Philadelphia High School and director of the electric vehicle program. In addition to modifying the Saturn SL2 donated by Saturn for the competition last year, the students also worked on a donated hybrid Jeep Wrangler, which runs on both gas and electricity. Though the goal for the area students was to design a car that will win the next Tour de Sol, the program allowed the students to be part of a real life project and to help them develop self-confidence. "The program provides a positive influence for students, by exposing them to education on a college campus that they could not learn in high school," Hauger said. The high-schoolers, which include 10th, 11th and 12th graders, were divided into seven groups -- small vehicle design, fundraising, hybrid motor, battery, computer, electric and film editing. Each group was led by a Penn student. The student mentors who led the students felt that it was definitely a worthwhile challenge. "It was a difficult experience but was very rewarding to help the kids learn," said Engineering junior Natalie Hsueh, who led the small vehicle design team, which focused on improving the aerodynamic qualities of the Saturn. "I was interested in teaching, and the experience makes me want to teach even more." The program lasted for six weeks during the summer, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. After spending time working on the projects, the students met in a classroom with Hauger to discuss what they learned. The area students were paid for participating, got free e-mail and had access to many Penn facilities. "We are very grateful to the Engineering School because they really rolled out the red carpet for us," Hauger said. Other Penn students who were mentors enjoyed the program from a personal perspective. "I think our entire group had fun because we could joke around but get on with learning at the same time," said Engineering junior Khalil Abdullah, who led the hybrid motor group.