Mill Creek Greenpower teams motor to wins in Hazel Green

MADISON – Car teams from Mill Creek Elementary School took a road trip to Hazel Green on March 25 to enter the “Trojan 30s Greenpower Race” in the exciting initiative of Greenpower.

The Mill Creek Greenpower Team, led by teacher sponsor Jacqueline Smith, brought three cars to the meet at Hazel Green High School. Two of the cars placed in the top three spots overall.

Mill Creek won second place in slalom, second-place honors in drag and the first-place slot for circuit. Car 750 from Mill Creek took third place overall. Car 700 captured first place overall.

Members of the Greenpower team have specific jobs. The team’s fifth-graders, who all work as drivers, are Clark Asher, Eli Brown, Sophia Brown, Devansh Goyal, Evelyn Mustell and Julius Whitehorn. Lillian McFadden is the photographer.

Fourth-graders in the Mill Creek team, also drivers, are Savannah Barnard, Tyler Barnard, Harrison Bock, Austin Brown and Jadien Lawrence.

Greenpower advances understanding of STEM topics and inspires youth with immersive experiences of designing, building and racing electric-powered vehicles. The program provides students in grades 4-12 (also post-secondary) with hands-on, project-based learning that engages students academically and builds critical skills for the workplace.

In addition, Greenpower promotes collaboration, communication and unity among team members. “These interpersonal skills will serve them well throughout their life and career,” Smith said.

The meet included circuit races, slalom races and drag races. “We cannot modify the cars,” Smith said.

“In drag racing, teams drive in a straight line for approximately 120 feet. Each team has four attempts. Two cars run simultaneously until all cars race,” Smith said.

“For slalom, teams weave in and out of cones for approximately 120 feet. Each team has four attempts,” Smith said.

In a circuit race, teams complete at least three laps of a site-specific course. Each team has three attempts.

One of the race’s spectators, Mike Potter, is team member Harrison Bock’s grandfather. “The Greenpower program is neat, and this group of kids are a really good group . . . mutually supportive, polite, full of school spirit. We loved seeing them in action,” Potter said.