Tuskegee University October 6, 2015 Local youth inspired to “change the world” at Tuskegee University’s Electric Vehicle Transportation Center Day Tuskegee, Ala. – In an effort to positively enrich and develop students in the Macon County School System, the Tuskegee University Physics Department hosted an outreach event in Tompkins Hall aimed at inspiring pre-teen and teen children from the local community to “change the world” in the future. This inspiration and training were achieved by having the students participate in technological competitions, receive recognition from university leaders, and witness presentations from top-notch companies and institutions, including the Alabama Power Company, which provided electric Tesla and BMW cars for demonstrations and rides. Other community members, students, faculty and staff were also invited. These educational and stimulating events were part of an occasion called “Electric Vehicle Transportation Center Day” or “EVTC Day,” the result of a $2.4 million research grant provided by the Department of Transportation (DOT) toward Electric Vehicle Transportation Centers across four partner institutions: Tuskegee University, Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), Hawaii University and the University of Central Florida. Each institution received a portion of the grant in the amount of $600,000 each. Broken into three sessions, the first session of EVTC Day was a breakfast meeting that consisted of a variety of lectures and demonstrations from representatives of each company or institution present. The 120 guests present at the first session were able to witness students from Tuskegee Public School, Tuskegee Institute Middle School, and Booker T. Washington High School compete in the “Make-a-Simple-Motor” competition. For this competition, students were paired up and given a D battery, two paper clips, a magnet, and wiring, which they had to then manipulate electronically to create enough energy to make a model toy car to drive in a circular motion. The student pairs that made the car spin the longest would be chosen as the winners of this competition. The second session was a lunch meeting attended by 150 guests that featured Tuskegee first lady Shemeka Barnes-Johnson as the chief guest. Dr. Prakash Sharma provided the welcome and presented guests with an overview of the Electric Vehicle Transportation Center project, as well as the Tuskegee University Physics Department, of which he is the department head. Highlights included awards and grants received by students and faculty in the department, and the goals and achievements of the EVTC project. Tuskegee University president, Dr. Brian L. Johnson also gave special remarks. He used this time to commend not only the students in the physics department, but those present from the local school system as well, explaining to them that the competitions and presentations featured were a great representation of “what it means to come to Tuskegee University.” Prakash later presented Johnson with a donation to Tuskegee University from the Physics Department faculty. They both spoke of the donation’s significance, stating that it wasn’t about the amount given but what it represented – giving back and setting an example. Johnson’s lovely wife Barnes-Johnson then presented prizes to the winners of the “Make-A-Simple-Motor” competition. The invited speaker for the second session was Starla Curry-Hilliard of Alabama Power Company, who gifted students with an encouraging, rousing and motivational speech geared toward helping them realize not only their potential to be innovative contributors, but their duty as well. “You all are the future. We are depending on you to make things better, faster, lighter, smaller and cheaper.” She also reminded them of the three characters they already possessed to make this responsibility something they could handle: “curiosity, creativity, and courage,” she said. The fact that these students were chosen to participate in today’s events were proof enough that they have what it takes to change the world and Curry-Hilliard encouraged them to consider focusing on the historical yet continually innovative use of electricity in technology. She reminded them that “Electricity touches all of our lives…it can change the world.” The final session concluded with demonstrations of Alabama Power Company-provided electric vehicles and the renewable energy related to them; as well as electric vehicle rides for the students present. This session was attended by 250 guests and was a highlight for many. Students from both the university and the local school system seemed to be truly excited and moved by the opportunity they were given today. Not only were they able to showcase their intelligence and talent to key members of the electric and energy community, they also had the chance to learn from them as well. Guests and attendees were positively affected by taking part in this opportunity. There is no doubt that the young people present have what it takes to – in the words of Curry-Hilliard – “Push forward, be innovative, and [never] give up on [their] dreams.” SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.