Recently, a group of 11 students and a fuel-efficient super mileage car went
down to Indianapolis to compete at the Indiana Mathematics, Science and
Technology Education Alliance Super Mileage Challenge. The race was held at
Lucas Oil Raceway Park, on a .686-mile track. The challenge hosted 32
schools with a total of 41 cars participating in the challenge.
This was the 16th year for the competition and the Chesterton High School
car averaged 446.89 miles per gallon--good enough for third place. The
winner this year, with an average of 640.27 miles per gallon, was Greenfield
Central High School.
The competition is designed to promote student creativity and problem
solving, as they translate their ideas into a vehicle that will get as many
miles per gallon as possible.
In October of 2010 the students began sketching and refining their ideas
into a working drawing. They used their math, science, and technology skills
to see if their design would work.
Once the design was approved they started building the car in January. After
many long after school hours they finally had a vehicle that they could test
drive.
The students had a great time and plan to go back next year with a new
design.