Vocational school trumps magnet schools with their environmental cars
From the Wired News Story:
In 1998, Hauger and instructors at the school's Automotive Academy developed a curriculum that applies math and science to the new technology of AFVs.
[...] A six-week summer program was added to focus on AFVs because most of the year is committed to teaching standard coursework. Students tear apart cars and trucks to replace their gasoline engines with hybrid, electric and diesel engines. In addition to figuring out how to calculate gear ratios and learning the geometry of wheels, students also learn about the political ramifications of petroleum dependency and write essays for English class.
Prior to 1998, West Philly High had never won a gold medal in the city's highly competitive science fair, as awards generally went to the city's five magnet schools that attract the top students.
But students from the automotive program have won twice during the last four years, including one student who designed aerodynamic body panels for a Saturn.
Gosh. You mean students can perform better given meaningful goals with real world consequences? What'll they think of next?
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