POWERGRAMS

21 Figuring out what to do with his life wasn't rocket science for Adam Bastien. The Bob Jones High School senior interned in propulsion systems at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville to determine how he wants to use a mechanical engineering degree aer he graduates from college. "It helped me realize rocket science isn't what I'm interested in doing the rest of my life," Bastien said. "I want to use engineering to get involved with cars, in manufacturing or car racing." Helping make the decision was his participation in – and winning – the 2019 Electrathon baery- powered car race at the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham. Alabama Power conducts the annual event, primarily drawing engineering academies from high schools to build and race electrified cars, with winners determined by who makes the most laps around the 17-turn, 2.3-mile world-class racetrack. Participating were 19 high schools and six college/ professional entries from Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Bastien's Patriot Racing Team – named aer the mascot of the school in the Huntsville suburb of Madison – decided not to use the standard car kit but to build one from scratch without the involvement of their teacher. Patriot cars finished 1-2 in the Green Power category. "The students who built the car have been on the team since they were freshmen," said Bob Jones Engineering Academy instructor Jessye Gaines. "For them, in their senior year of their last semester, to build this car from the ground up with the application of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) is really a dream come true." Gaines said the learning experience was immeasurable, as the team had to function as a small business, making marketing presentations to find financial sponsors; staying under budget; designing the car; using project management skills; delegating Annual electric car race Annual electric car race Students designed, built and raced electric vehicles. Students from 25 schools entered Electrathon.

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