2010 Team

In striving to prepare students for success in the global community that our world has become, and to fuel their artistic and academic ambitions, motivate them in science, engineering, and technology,  it has become increasingly necessary to expand the curriculum beyond the standard classroom.  Students need to be exposed to and involved in activities that involve authenticity, collaboration, critical thinking skills, global implications, in-depth investigations, cross-curricular applications, and a very high student motivation and engagement factor. It was this desire to ensure student success in the global community that provided the impetus behind the undertaking of such a project as the construction of a roadworthy solar car with the additional goal of entering it into the Solar Car Challenge.

This is the perfect beyond the classroom project because in striving to meet this challenge, students in addition to learning about engineering, alternative energy, battery technology, aerodynamics, computer science, and meteorology, have to translate that knowledge into strategy. Such a project furthermore, involves activities that empower students, foster deep learning and communication skills across a variety of subjects, enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills, necessitate collaborative work, and provide experience working with students of different academic and technical skill levels.

I would like to thank those sponsoring this project.  Without their assistance, beyond the classroom projects such as this would not be possible. They are contributing to the maturation and development of our students into viable and successful individuals with the habits of mind and the discipline of the soul capable of achieving success in whatever future endeavors they choose to undertake.

DR.   JOSEPH   DUNGAN

Founder and Director

 

Everyone in the MadSCI owes their place on the team to Dr. Joseph Dungan. Years ago, he had the idea of making a solar car team at Madison High School. His goal was simple: motivate students in science and engineering, and increase the awareness for the need of alternative forms of energy by allowing students to build and race a solar vehicle. He went to work doing everything he could to get funding for the project. Extensive networking finally paid off when the Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute gave the team their first grant; others soon followed. Dr. Dungan has a Ph. D in Physical Bio-Chemistry from University of California at Santa Barbara and has been a science teacher at Madison High School for the past ten years. We thank Dr.Dungan for dedicating his time to this project and believing in an idea that few others would.

Check out our Solar Car Bullentins for information on our goals, past events, and student successes.

    Solar Car Information Bulletins

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