Franklin College Receives $25K for Local Electric Vehicle Education Initiative

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Franklin College has received a $25,000 grant from the Ball Venture Fund to improve sustainable energy education using electric vehicles. The college will incorporate electric Go-Karts into its physics curriculum during a course in January. The project, named 'Sustainable Energy Education through Electric Vehicles,' aims to involve college, middle, and high school students from Indiana, and provide training for K-12 STEM teachers.

The Ball Brothers Foundation provides the grant, which is managed by the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI). This funding supports innovative educational projects. Franklin College's proposal was one of five selected for funding this year, recognized for its potential to enhance sustainable energy education. The ICI promotes competition and collaboration among Indiana’s 29 private, non-profit higher education institutions.

Dr. Arbin Thapaliya, associate professor and chair of the chemistry and physics department at Franklin College, will oversee this project. Dr. Thapaliya stated that the project aims to inspire future innovators in clean energy. It will give students hands-on experience in constructing, testing, and operating an electric Go-Kart.

The curriculum developed with this grant will address vehicle electrification, battery technology, and solar power, focusing on solar charging stations. The goal is to prepare students with the skills needed for careers in growing sectors, as shown by recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data.