Last semester 75 eighth graders from McKinley Classical Junior Academy got a firsthand look at some of the latest technology in electric vehicles (EV). Members of Ameren Missouri’s electric vehicle team partnered with Physical Science teacher, Rona Robinson-Hill, to provide students the opportunity to see Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) concepts in action.
“Math and Science plays a role in our lives daily, and this was a great opportunity for my students to really understand how their lessons transition beyond the classroom and into their personal lives and professional aspirations,” said Robinson-Hill, a Physical Science teacher at McKinley Classical Junior Academy.
As part of its Electric Vehicle program, Ameren Missouri is committed to sharing research-based information on this technology with organizations throughout Missouri. As part of a nationwide research project, the company is testing the plug-in hybrid electric Chevy Volt, which the students toured to better understand how electric vehicles actually work, the environmental benefits of EV technology compared to conventional vehicles, and the costs. However, Mark Nealon, manager of Ameren Missouri’s Electric Vehicle program, says this event isn’t just about the cars.
“These students are the engineers, teachers and scientists who will lead us in the future, and by sharing with them this innovative technology we hope to inspire them so they see that the courses they take today could be just the beginning of an exciting career in math or the sciences. Ameren Missouri is committed to education,” Nealon said.
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