California

Local School On a Mission: Building an Electric Car

Students at George Washington Carver School of Arts & Science in Rancho Cordova are going electric and seeing green. The school’s Re-Tech Club has been working since late 2009 to convert a gas-powered car to an electric vehicle, and recently received a $5,000 grant for their work courtesy of State Farm.

Students will work to convert the car during after-school programs with the help of a teacher funded by the City of Sacramento. The group will continue to raise funds throughout the community, taking the car to various local schools to teach other students about alternative fuel options and reducing their carbon footprint.

“It’s exciting to see the amount of energy from our youth when it comes to these innovative environmental programs,” said Sacramento Agent Moira Little. “I’m so proud that State Farm is helping to cultivate and reward these great ideas.”

Students have had to overcome several obstacles to continue with their electric car project. Vandalism and budget cuts have prevented the Re-Tech Club from building the car to date, but future in looking bright with the help of State Farm’s grant.

The Re-Tech Club plans to show the car on Earth Day 2012 during the Youth Energy Summit at the state capitol. The car will be sold to fund the next environmentally-focused project, creating an on-going program for the school.

George Washington Carver School of Arts & Sciences was one of just five California high schools to receive $5,000 grants. Winning schools were selected using multiple criteria for their environmentally-focused, student-led projects including hands-on learning and intentional ties to classroom academics.