Revving Up STEM Education with FPL Electrathon America
Learn how local students are overcoming challenges and leading the charge towards a sustainable future.
Electrathon America is an innovative program that provides students with hands-on opportunities to learn about STEM principles through electric vehicle design and competition. With the backing of FPL, students in South Florida are getting a unique chance to engage in a practical application of clean energy technologies and engineering principles.
Connecting Students with Real-World Engineering
Noting that many schools have passionate students but lack the experience or resources to get started in this vein, Isabella Burckhardt, Associate Project Manager – Electric Vehicles and eMobility at Florida Power and Light said, “FPL’s role in supporting Electrathon America is really rooted in reducing barriers to entry for interest in schools to participate. We recognize what an incredible opportunity it is for students to get hands on with STEM concepts that are rooted in clean energy and electric vehicles.”
Challenges and Triumphs
Despite facing challenges, such as learning new technical skills and overcoming design hurdles, the students have shown remarkable determination and ingenuity. Beyond just the STEM principles, the program is also an opportunity for students to learn practical life skills such as teamwork, strategic thinking, leadership, and organizational skills. “When it comes to challenges, we all start thinking what we can bring to the table to make sure we are able to put it together,” said Helen, a student at Miami Coral Park Senior High School.
The Race to the Future
This event is more than a competition; it’s a demonstration of the practical application of STEM education and a testament to the students’ hard work and innovation. Moreover, there’s a sense of cooperation between teams from various schools, even in the face of competition.
According to Charlie Delahoz, a Miami Coral Park Senior High School teacher, “It kind of reminds me of kids playing video games when we have these educational competitions. It’s that spirit where yeah, we can trash talk once we’re in the actual competition, but before that we’re helping each other, because if this controller was not working, then who am I playing against?”
The Bigger Picture of STEM Education and Electric Vehicles
Electrathon America highlights the growing importance of electric vehicles and the need for a skilled workforce knowledgeable in this field, preparing students for careers in STEM fields, particularly those related to clean energy and technology.
“Thank you to FPL,” said Jake Daniel, another Miami Coral Park Senior High School student, “because being a title one school (with) predominantly low-income students, if it wasn’t for FPL’s help, we would have not even known that this was a kind of competition.”
As we look towards a brighter, cleaner future, such programs are lighting the way for the next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators.
