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Narrative: In an effort to encourage girls to enroll in physics classes and provide other students with an opportunity to see the connection between academic coursework and real world applications, Sun Dog 1 was created at Smyrna High School. Over 100 students and 8 teachers participated in the project. Sun Dog 1 is a solar powered vehicle. It was an idea brought back from a National Tech Prep Network conference. The objectives were to reinforce classroom content through application; to broaden student perspective through extracurricular applications; to develop school-to-work skills in technical areas (construction, computer, electrical, mechanical and design); to promote interdepartmental cooperation and coordination; and, to allow students to design, build and race a solar powered vehicle.
It Works! With the assistance of the Rotary Club and Arnold Engineering, students and faculty at Smyrna High designed, built, tested, modified and raced Sun Dog 1 in the national Formula Sun 2000 race in Kansas City in 2000. Although they didn't win the race, the students and teachers are optimistic about the 2001 race and have begun planning for a new design for Sun Dog. The project offered no extra credit for participation but ownership of the project by students was extensive. One parent commented to the teachers, "while working on this project I didn't have to wake him up every morning. He was up and ready for school every day!"
Contact:
Craig R. Tilton
Smyrna High School
100 Bulldog Drive
Smyrna, TN 37165
615-459-6872 (voice)
615-223-9671 (fax)
E-mail: tiltonc@shs.rcs.k12.tn.us