Electric Vehicle Program Earns National Recognition

February 18, 2004 The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) announced Monday that Jackson EMC won a National Community Service Award for its Electric Vehicle Program.

Competing against entries from electric cooperatives nationwide, the EV Program received the "Building For the Future Award," designating it the best youth program sponsored by an EMC.

While electric vehicle education instructs students and teachers how to build electrically powered vehicles, it also teaches students valuable skill sets like teamwork, marketing, research and public speaking.

"This is truly a great program that has affected both students and teachers. It gives students a hands-on learning experience, and it puts the fun back into teaching," said Randall Pugh, Jackson EMC President/CEO. "We are very proud to win such a prestigious award, and we are even more proud of the students and teachers, who have worked so hard to make the program a success."

The EV program began when students at Jackson County High School approached Jackson EMC for help with building an electric vehicle. The cooperative agreed to help out both financially and through direct employee involvement.

Realizing the impact of the program, Jackson EMC worked with the business community and education systems throughout the state. As a result, the EV Program is now part of the curriculum in 32 schools in Georgia and 40 in the nation.

School systems take a varied approach to implementing EV education. Some schools use the curriculum with their honors' physics class, while others may combine auto mechanics and science classes. Others offer the program strictly as an extracurricular activity. Jackson EMC will work with interested schools to set up a program.

Alan Shedd, the cooperative's Commercial/Industrial Engineer, says the most rewarding part of the program is "seeing students light up when they bring their textbook knowledge to life and it actually works.

"I'm not saying there aren't any nail-biting moments, but I can guarantee that no one can drive an EV and keep a straight face! It's just plain fun, and the students love it."

Twice a year, schools from around the state compete at an EV Rally to test their EV knowledge in a quiz bowl, a speech contest and two driving events. The Electric Vehicle Program will hold its next statewide competition at the end of April during Earth Week.

To find out how to have electric vehicle education at your school, call Alan Shedd at 706/367-6194. For more information about the next EV Rally, please visit www.EVeducation.org.

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