Iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway sets the Stage for Student Creativity
Engineering professor inspires students curious about energy and sustainability at Shell Eco-marathon.
Watch the next generation of scientists and engineers test their knowledge in a biofuel duel.
Dr. Will Brownlowe, Faculty Advisor, Montgomery County Community College"This is the most complex vehicle that we’ve designed to date. The challenge was not just in the engineering; it was in nurturing the raw talent of students."
Dr. Will Brownlowe is passionate about cars, sustainability, and improving student engagement and learning. He has been advising teams from Montgomery County Community College in building energy-efficient vehicles to compete at Shell Eco-marathon Americas since 2015.
Dr. Brownlowe is a faculty advisor and engineering professor at the college in Pennsylvania and is motivated by the value that hands-on learning creates for students who are curious about energy and sustainability. He also discovered that participating in the event attracts promising students to the school’s engineering science program who want to compete at Eco-marathon.
The task
This year, Shell Eco-marathon Americas brought together 750 students at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The competition aims to push the boundaries of what is technically possible and inspire young people to become the next generation of scientists and engineers who will help build energy systems of the future. It provides a platform for high school and university teams, of all backgrounds, to explore every aspect of design and technology, using their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math skills to build their own ultra-energy-efficient cars, and then literally put the pedal to the metal on the track.
The concept of Shell Eco-marathon can be traced back to 1939 when Bob Greenshields, Shell’s Research Director, made a friendly wager with his colleagues at Shell Oil Company in the USA on who could travel farthest using the same amount of fuel. Bob achieved 49 MPG (still a respectable number even by today’s standards), setting a record, and creating a legacy that has lasted the distance.
Each year over 5,000 students from over 52 countries participate in Shell Eco-marathon.
Building skills
A quick tour of the paddocks at the track reveals teams of young engineers who are fueled by their passion for teamwork, creative solutions, and energy efficient cars. With long days and even longer nights, the teams focus on final adjustments to get their energy efficient cars ready for the track.
“We actually started the car this year from scratch, with nothing to go off of,” said Nate Mayer, a first-year student at Montgomery County Community College. “We ran it all the way down to the wire and had to pull an all-nighter before the trip.”
The adventure of traveling to Indianapolis to compete in Eco-marathon is only the beginning of the journey for many students. Many will come back to compete again and many alumni from Montgomery Community College have gone on to receive four-year degrees and pursue careers within global corporations.
“Our students hail from a variety of educational backgrounds, many don’t have an engineering foundation, and this type of hands-on learning can spark the curiosity of our students,” Dr. Brownlowe added.
Dr. Brownlowe knows this experience can make an impact. He hopes students who compete are inspired to pursue a career in science and engineering, and are motivated by the friendly competition, win or lose.
Shell Eco-marathon
Brilliant minds coming together to help build a lower carbon world.