Formerly EV-Challenge
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SMARTT Challenge | Fact Sheet

SMARTT Challenge Fact Sheet

WHAT: Formerly known as the EV Challenge, the SMARTT Challenge is the nation’s premier alternative fuel education program that provides a holistic approach to the use of alternative fuels and technologies with environmental education. The year-long comprehensive curriculum spans nearly all disciplines, including math, science, auto mechanics, physics, engineering, electronics, language arts and more. The highlight of the program is the design and construction of street-legal electric vehicles that high school students enter into a national contest called the Final Event held annually in Wake County in the spring. Middle school students design and build model solar cars that are also entered into a special competition during the Final Event. The Final Event's first day will be held Oak View Park in Raleigh, and the second day at SAS in Cary.

The SMARTT Challenge is the education program of the Carolina Electric Vehicle Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Wake County that is devoted to raising awareness about the use of alternative fuels.

The SMARTT Challenge changed its name from the EV Challenge in 2007 to reflect the program’s revised curriculum, which has expanded its electric vehicle focus to include additional alternative transportation fuels and technologies.

SMARTT is an acronym for “Students Making Advancements in Renewable Transportation Technology.” A new logo also has been developed to reflect its expanded focus.

WHO: The program has both high school and middle school components, with curricula geared to each age group. Thousands of students from 11 states (North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Nevada, Rhode Island and Florida) have participated in the program over the last 13 years. Schools are currently committing for the 2008-2009 school year. Attached is a list of past years’ participants from North Carolina.

WHEN: The program began in 1995 as an energy education program of Carolina Power & Light Company, now Progress Energy.

SPONSORS: Major sponsors over the years have included: the State Energy Office of the North Carolina Department of Administration; Progress Energy; Advanced Energy Corp; the North Carolina Department of Environment & Natural Resources; and the NC Solar Center at NC State University.

HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Identify operating issues associated with conventional and alternative fuels
  2. Design and convert a gasoline vehicle to street-legal electric power
  3. Identify local community partners and sponsors
  4. Develop a web page and create an oral presentation
  5. Demonstrate diagnostic and trouble-shooting skills
  6. Enter electric vehicles in events across the Southeast
  7. Compete in range and autocross events

MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM PARTICULARS:

  1. Centered around nationally recognized Junior Solar Sprint program, sponsored by the US Department of Energy
  2. Build and race small solar race cars
  3. Apply math, science, solar energy, electrical vehicle construction and creativity
  4. Judged on creativity, technical innovation and speed

PROGRAM STRENGTHS:

  1. Real-world applications of environmental and energy issues that face our world today
  2. Fosters teamwork among students, faculty and community
  3. Involves, excites and challenges students who may not have traditionally excelled in academia

PROGRAM KUDOS:

  1. Nationally recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency with the Clean Air Excellence Award for outstanding commitment to preventing air pollution and improving air quality
  2. EV Challenge (former name) coverage and recognition in scores of local news media outlets and several national outlets including the Wall Street Journal and Parade Magazine

SELECTED METRICS:

  1. Number of schools participating has grown from three in 1995 to more than 45 in recent years
  2. Full-size electric vehicles built by high school students since program began: more than 100
  3. Number of schools participating in middle school program since program began in 2001 has grown from four to 26 in recent years
  4. Students involved in the program since 1995: approximately 23,100
  5. Citizens exposed to alternative fuel vehicles via SMARTT Challenge each year: more than 250,000

PAST NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS
(REGISTRATION CURRENTLY UNDERWAY FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR)

  • Ahoskie: Hertford County High School
  • Angier: Harnett Central High
  • Apex: Lufkin Road Middle
  • Barco: Currituck High School
  • Cary: Davis Drive Middle
  • Conway: Northampton-East High School; Conway Middle School
  • Dudley: Southern Wayne
  • Durham: Southern Durham High School
  • Edenton: John Holmes High School
  • Garner: East Garner Middle School; Garner High School
  • Graham: Southern Middle School
  • Hampstead: Topsail High School
  • Henderson: Northern Vance High School
  • Kenly: North Johnston High School
  • Lincolnton: Lincoln County School of Technology
  • Lillington: Western Harnett High School
  • Lumberton: Robeson County Career Center
  • McLeansville: Northeast-Guilford High School
  • Monroe: Union County Career Center
  • Mooresville: Lakeshore Middle School
  • Morehead City: West Carteret High School
  • Mount Holly: East Gaston High School
  • Roanoke Rapids: Chaloner Middle; William R. Davie Middle; Roanoke Rapids High
  • Raleigh: Enloe High School; Martin Middle School; Leesville Road Middle School
  • Roxboro: Person County High School
  • Southport: South Brunswick Middle School
  • Sylva: Smoky Mountain High School
  • Wake Forest: Wake Forest-Rolesville High School
  • Wendell: East Wake High School
  • Wilmington: New Hanover High School
  • Winston-Salem: Winston-Salem/Forsyth Career Center