Lawrence High School Receives KU-Designed Hybrid Go-Kart

A parallel hybrid go-kart, designed during the spring 2012 semester by the University of Kansas School of Engineering EcoHawks, was given to a local high school Friday, Jan. 25, in an effort to showcase the possibilities that exist in engineering.

The Career and Technical Education Department at Lawrence High School received the go-kart at the EcoHawks facility on KU’s West Campus.

“The go-kart will be a great learning tool for students to study hybrid technologies,” said LHS engineering and architecture teacher Charlie Lauts.  “We are very excited to be able to present and teach with the go-kart. It is a very simple machine but has so much more to offer in our classrooms … it will be used to focus on gas propulsion versus electric propulsion. We hope this helps LHS students stay current in the ever-changing world or energies and the automotive industry.”

Chris Depcik, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and EcoHawks faculty adviser, orchestrated the giveaway as a way to increase interest among high school students in alternative energy and the STEM fields: science, technology, engineering and math.

“From vehicle design, small engine design to alternative fuels and green technologies, this is a wonderful opportunity for students get a truly great, first-hand learning experience,” Depcik said.