Hopewell Academy
announces today that the school won the State Championship in the Fuel Cell Hill
Climb at the Third Annual NC High School Fuel Cell Competition, and set a new
World Record. The event was held on December 9, 2006, at the North Carolina
School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, NC. Over 13 public and
private schools entered the competition including a school that had just
returned from the international championships in Hawaii. Hopewell students
entered the competition for the first time and took home the First Place
trophy.
Earlier this year, Hopewell's Earth/Environmental science
class won a grant from "Students Fueling the Future: An Educational
Program Sponsored by the North Carolina State Energy Office."
Students Fueling the Future is a unique educational program that
encourages students to use their science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics skills while engaging in hands-on projects. The grant enabled
Hopewell students to obtain parts to build two types of alternatively
powered cars and enter the competition. The first car was a speed and
distance car, and the second car was a Hill Climb car. Both cars teach
fundamentals of renewable energy using Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology (in which
the car is powered through a conversion of water into energy).
The
Hill Climb Car Team consisted of Christopher Conway, Alexander Filosa, Alexander
Gabriel, and Jacob Potts. Their car won First Place by exceeding the design
standards, beating all the other teams entered during a series of elimination
events, and setting a new international competition record. Hopewell's car
achieved the greatest angle of climb of any car ever designed in the Hill Climb
National or International Competition Events. Team Captain Chris Conway
lead the team through the last 3 months of design and practice. Conway said,
"The car was designed to have an exceptional amount of torque and this allowed
the car to climb a greater incline with ease. At the greater angle we also had
just the right amount of traction."
"This is the first year Hopewell has
offered or taught this class and we are thrilled for our students. They
clearly understand the mechanics and physics involved in this project," said
Cecilia Gabriel, school founder. "The team brought home the school's first
trophy which is proudly displayed in our Lobby."
Hopewell Academy
is a 2 year old private school located in Weston, Cary, North Carolina.
Hopewell is the Triangle's first choice for a college preparatory,
personalized learning environment serving students in Grades 4 - 12 in a small
school setting. Hopewell hosts open houses monthy at the school and is
actively enrolling for 2007-2008. Selected spaces remain in specific
grades for the 2006-2007 year as well.
Media Inquiries: Cecilia
Gabriel or Leigh Mullins, 919.607.6339