Racing Into Summer on 4-Wheels

(June 5, 2008) –Upon finishing their last final of the year, most students are eager to go home and get started on their summer vacation.  Mr. Michael Boone’s introductory engineering class feels just the opposite.  They are hanging around Providence Academy for an after hours race to see which of the five go-carts the class constructed will be victorious. 

Boone’s class built the go-carts from the frame up as a way to better understand the basic components of cars.  Team members concentrated on particular parts of the go-cart such as the chassis, chain drive, 6.5 horsepower engine or steering mechanism.  The go-carts maintain a speed of about around 20 mph and have one forward gear. Most of the students in Boone’s class are freshman who do not yet have a driver’s license and are therefore eager to complete their go-cart and take it for a spin. 

Using past experience, Boone says he has figured out an easier way to teach computer-aided design.  He uses large rolls of paper and has students sit on the floor as if they are driving an imaginary go-cart.   The students use the purchased component parts and layout a design around the driver.  They measure all dimensions with meter sticks that are the same width as the steel frame tubing.  Students then use the computer and create the design digitally.  By physically designing the go-carts first and then going back to the computer, students better understand the capabilities of the software and its complexity is minimized. 

The operational go-carts are the culmination of a semester of work.  The metal shop has been full of energized students after school working to spice up their designs.  Boone laughingly recalls that one go-cart had a spoiler and a radio before it had most of its functional parts.

Depending on the outcome of the race, Boone plans on keeping the winning go-cart and the losing go-cart for students to compare in next year’s class.  By riding in each, students should be able to get an idea of what works and make further improvements.  Boone has a trophy for the winning team, along with a wreath and victory milk to replicate the long-standing tradition of the Indy 500.

Jessica Kraker and Jordan Paulus, both of Plymouth, attend to their team’s go-cart while Robert Villaume of Hamel  gets ready for a spin around Providence Academy’s parking lot.

Providence Academy junior, Paul Zagzebski of Long Lake, takes his team’s go-cart for a test drive.

Jordan Paulu,s of Plymouth, displays his trophy and victory milk after the official race.

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