District News

High school students building electric race car

 

Dec. 19, 2011

For about three years, the students in the Canajoharie Technology Club have been working on an Electrathon race car. The group of about eight students in grades 9-12 and technology teacher Dwayne Heroth plan to finish soon and enter the car in a race at Watkins Glen in April.

Electrathon cars are single-person, lightweight, electric vehicles with three or four wheels (the car at the high school has three) which must meet specific design and safety rules. The cars usually weigh between 100 and 150 pounds and may be built from a kit or from scratch. They must also have brakes, and drivers must use a five-point racing harness.

Mr. Heroth said the club bought a kit and has been assembling it during the past three years. He said building the car not only promotes a green lifestyle, but also teaches the students about engineering principles, electronics, and design.

"You have to play with wheel alignment, aerodynamics and breaking," he said. "The cars only go about 45 miles per hour and I thought it was a great way to promote electric vehicles too. We started off slow as far as working on it, but in the last few years, it has really come together."

On a recent Monday afternoon, the students in club helped paint a yellow streak on the white car. The club members also pondered what number they wanted to pain on the car.

Sophomore Joshua Green said he is having a great time working on the car because it is enjoyable and he is learning a lot.

"You learn how to fabricate all sorts of stuff," he said. "I can't wait to go to Watkins Glen and watch it race.'

The club includes: Matthew Williams, Nick Toomey, Tyler Bobar, Lucas Steenburg, Josh Herringshaw, Joshua Green, Anthony Clayburn, and Katie Walther.