|
|
|
When Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca students race their cars in the upcoming Power Drive race, they will also be raising awareness for causes they support.
The race is March 26 in Lincoln.
While discussing what colors to paint the electric cars, students came up with an idea for a new twist this year.
“We were talking about what colors to paint the cars,” said Doug Iske, shop teacher at Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca High School. “We were trying to think of something we could do to promote the Power Drive, something that's beyond the Power Drive.”
Iske said that many of the students had family members and acquaintances who had dealt with breast cancer, and, because of this, they decided to paint a car pink. The idea for “Cause Cars” was born.
“Cause Cars” are race cars painted in support of different causes. Iske said that one of the cars will be painted pink for breast cancer awareness and that they have permission to use Wrangler brand's “Tough enough to wear pink” slogan on the car.
The other car will be painted blue with a flag design towards the back to show support for America's troops. The car will also display the symbols of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans organizations.
Iske said that the organizations involved were “more than gracious” to allow the use of their symbols and slogans.
The patriotic design was chosen after discussion about the students’ friends and family members who have served in the armed forces.
Iske said that both issues were close to him as his sister-in-law and mother-in-law had both faced breast cancer and his father is a disabled American veteran after his service as a pilot in Korea.
“By the kids thinking outside of their normal teenage thoughts, they've created a way to not only address vocational awareness, but to bring awareness to some important issues that face our country as well,” said Iske.
He said that students are working to solve suspension and steering issues but that the cars will be ready for the race on Saturday in Lincoln.
Iske said that the Power Drive program is one of the best co-curricular programs that he's been involved with. “The kids have to use graphic arts, math, mechanics and various other skills to make these cars.”
As for the competition, Iske is confident that his teams will perform well. “We'll focus on our cars and we'll leave the other teams up to their cars and we'll see what they bring... I know what we'll bring and they'll be good,” he said.
According to Omaha Public Power District's website, the Power Drive program was established in 1998 to give high school students a hands-on way to apply their studies and to promote interest in automotive, electric and energy technologies and careers.
It states, “The Power Drive Program is an educational effort that challenges high school students to design and build one-person electric vehicles during the school year. In the spring, these teams of students compete with one another at organized rallies in areas such as vehicle braking, maneuverability and endurance.”
When Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca students race their cars in the upcoming Power Drive race, they will also be raising awareness for causes they support.
The race is March 26 in Lincoln.
While discussing what colors to paint the electric cars, students came up with an idea for a new twist this year.
“We were talking about what colors to paint the cars,” said Doug Iske, shop teacher at Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca High School. “We were trying to think of something we could do to promote the Power Drive, something that's beyond the Power Drive.”
Iske said that many of the students had family members and acquaintances who had dealt with breast cancer, and, because of this, they decided to paint a car pink. The idea for “Cause Cars” was born.
“Cause Cars” are race cars painted in support of different causes. Iske said that one of the cars will be painted pink for breast cancer awareness and that they have permission to use Wrangler brand's “Tough enough to wear pink” slogan on the car.
The other car will be painted blue with a flag design towards the back to show support for America's troops. The car will also display the symbols of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans organizations.
Iske said that the organizations involved were “more than gracious” to allow the use of their symbols and slogans.
The patriotic design was chosen after discussion about the students’ friends and family members who have served in the armed forces.
Iske said that both issues were close to him as his sister-in-law and mother-in-law had both faced breast cancer and his father is a disabled American veteran after his service as a pilot in Korea.
“By the kids thinking outside of their normal teenage thoughts, they've created a way to not only address vocational awareness, but to bring awareness to some important issues that face our country as well,” said Iske.
He said that students are working to solve suspension and steering issues but that the cars will be ready for the race on Saturday in Lincoln.
Iske said that the Power Drive program is one of the best co-curricular programs that he's been involved with. “The kids have to use graphic arts, math, mechanics and various other skills to make these cars.”
As for the competition, Iske is confident that his teams will perform well. “We'll focus on our cars and we'll leave the other teams up to their cars and we'll see what they bring... I know what we'll bring and they'll be good,” he said.
According to Omaha Public Power District's website, the Power Drive program was established in 1998 to give high school students a hands-on way to apply their studies and to promote interest in automotive, electric and energy technologies and careers.
It states, “The Power Drive Program is an educational effort that challenges high school students to design and build one-person electric vehicles during the school year. In the spring, these teams of students compete with one another at organized rallies in areas such as vehicle braking, maneuverability and endurance.”
