This year’s #STEMpowersOhio challenge question is a big one: “Reimagine energy production/consumption to improve your community.” Through the challenge, students can explore a wide range of energy related sub-topics. We’re offering a special webinar on Electric Vehicle Charging on both November 19 and November 30.
We encourage teachers and afterschool leaders facilitating the design challenge to modify the design challenge question into something with a narrower focus, as long as the modified question ties back to energy. Perhaps you want to strictly focus on improving energy relating to transportation, or “smart home” technology, or explore equity issues related to equity – any energy related question is fine. Use the topic web to see different ways to think about this year’s topic.
As you and your students refine the question, consider the community in which you live and the people who you are solving for. Sometimes, these people are called the “problem owners”. Keeping the “problem owners” in mind as you refine your solution leads to a more effective solution.
One potential focus area: vehicle electrification. “Ohio has seen steady growth in electric vehicle sales and registrations,” according to a 2020 Drive Ohio and ODOT study. A persistent challenge to wider adoption of electric vehicles is the lack of charging infrastructure throughout the state. Gas stations are available almost everywhere –electric vehicle charging stations aren’t. This creates uncertainty and anxiety for consumers who may be interested in switching from a gas or hybrid car to a fully electric one.
Drive Ohio and ODOT collaborated with engineering consultancy HNTB and Clean Fuels Ohio to conduct a study about electric vehicle charging in Ohio. They identified some of the problems related to widespread adoption and made some recommendations for actions we can take in Ohio to increase the availability of electric vehicle charging.
They have generously offered to share their knowledge about electric vehicle charging for Ohio teachers interested in this year’s design challenge. Join Drive Ohio and a panel of electric vehicle experts in this free, online webinar on the basics of the electric vehicle charging industry, and how it matters to Ohio communities. Sessions will be held on November 19 (4-5 pm) and November 30 (3:30 – 4:30 pm). Please register on Zoom.
A follow-up webinar will focus on ways to create engaging hook activities to get your students interested in electric vehicle charging and use it as a focus for their design challenge solutions.
Electric Vehicle Charging 101: #STEMpowersOhio Webinar
November 19 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
The future of transportation is going electric – are you and your students ready? During this 1-hour webinar for K-12 educators hosted by the Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN), subject matter experts from DriveOhio and the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging industry will share insights about how EVs work, why it matters, and what’s coming soon to communities across Ohio. You’ll learn about “range anxiety”, EV charging technology, how to find your nearest EV charging station, and much more. Our team…
Electric Vehicle Charging 101: #STEMpowersOhio Webinar
The future of transportation is going electric – are you and your students ready? During this 1-hour webinar for K-12 educators hosted by the Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN), subject matter experts from DriveOhio and the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging industry will share insights about how EVs work, why it matters, and what’s coming soon to communities across Ohio. You’ll learn about “range anxiety”, EV charging technology, how to find your nearest EV charging station, and much more. Our team…