The eagerly anticipated second session of the Grand Prize Competition for the Best Electric Vehicle for High School Teams, conducted in academic collaboration with New York University Abu Dhabi, is set to commence on March 2, 2024, at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort.
Over 400 students, representing diverse schools, will participate in the race, including 21 schools from the UAE, five from the United States of America, as well as one each from Egypt and Italy.
The event is a collaborative effort between the International Education, Energy, and Environment Foundation, a non-profit organization based in the United States, and Elm, a leading Emirati company specializing in education, training, consulting services, talent development, and labor market alignment.
Teams employ engineering principles to design single-seat electric cars using standardized components, with the option to customize and introduce innovative modifications. The participants then engage in the Efficiency Challenge, testing their classroom-acquired knowledge practically during the race.
Guidance and support are provided to participating teams by teachers and technical experts. The students attend an orientation session followed by a mini-conference on the NYU Abu Dhabi campus.
Competitions unfold on the Al Forsan closed karting track, where students must strategically manage the race given the limited capacity of their car batteries. The top three finishers are crowned based on the highest number of completed laps. Various prizes are awarded, including the fastest qualifying time, Technical Innovation, the Women in Science and Engineering Award (individual or team), the Progo Tech Distinguished Award, and more.
The judging panel comprises experts from the private sector, academia, and government institutions, including representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy and Environment in Washington, D.C.
Mariette Westerman, Vice President of NYU Abu Dhabi, expressed the university’s commitment to fostering creative thinking and sustainable innovation among high school students. The collaboration with the Education, Energy, and Environment Foundation provides an effective practical environment for students to translate classroom knowledge into realistic solutions. The competition enhances students’ experience and personal skills, promoting teamwork, critical thinking, leadership, innovation, and communication—qualities crucial for building a brighter and more sustainable future.
