David Pike / UTRGV
Electric car medals
The Texas inaugural GreenPower race, held by UTRGV HESTEC at the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport. Middle schools, high schools, and college will all compete in their category Saturday to drive the furthest in a timed competition.
Jason Hoekema
HESTEC Greenpower Electric Car Race
Texas A&M International University's Regelio Hernandez sits in his team's car awaiting the start of the first HESTEC Greenpower electric car race Saturday, April 7, 2018, at the airport in Brownsville, Texas. (Jason Hoekema/The Brownsville Herald)
Jason Hoekema
HESTEC Greenpower Electric Car Race
Texas Southmost College's Jeremiah Alcala makes modifications to the front of the school's electric car Saturday, April 7, 2018, at the airport in Brownsville, Texas. (Jason Hoekema/The Brownsville Herald)
Jason Hoekema
HESTEC Greenpower Electric Car Race
The La Feria High School pit crew works out last minute details before the start of the first HESTEC Greenpower electric car race Saturday, April 7, 2018, at the airport in Brownsville, Texas. (Jason Hoekema/The Brownsville Herald)
Jason Hoekema
HESTEC Greenpower Electric Car Race
Santa Rosa High School's Manuel Lopez searches for a cutting tool before the start of the first HESTEC Greenpower electric car race Saturday, April 7, 2018, at the international airport in Brownsville, Texas. (Jason Hoekema/The Brownsville Herald)
Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2018 4:52 pm
School teams compete in GreenPowerUSA electric car competition
Special to the Star
Valley Morning Star
UTRGV hosted the first HESTEC GreenPowerUSA South Texas Electric Car Competition, held at the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport.
Thirty two teams representing middle school, high school and colleges from across South Texas competed April 6-7 in the competition, which delivered the excitement of motorsport to inspire students to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) studies.
THE WINNING TEAMS
Middle School Division
- 1st place - Oliveira Middle School, Brownsville
- 2nd place - Garcia Middle School, Brownsville
- 3rd place - Stillman Middle School, Brownsville
High School Division
- 1st place - Lamar Academy, McAllen
- 2nd place - Harlingen High School
- 3rd place - San Benito High School (Boys team)
College Division
- 1st place – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- 2nd place - Texas A&M Kingsville
- 3rd place - Texas A&M International University
The competition started Friday with some test runs, and moved to the old Confederate Air Force hangar on Saturday for the medals ceremony and to show their participation in the creation of their team vehicle
Veronica Gonzales, UTRGV vice president for Governmental and Community Relations, said UTRGV’s first Electric Car Challenge was a huge success.
“We are so proud of all the students who competed, and their teachers and professors who helped them prepare for this competition,” she said. “We are grateful for the support of our generous sponsors, partners and volunteers in helping us bring this program that engages students in STEM.”
