Bowling Green, Kentucky, Sept. 11, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 11 launched the On Track motorsports education initiative in conjunction with the Warren County Area Technology Center, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College, Western Kentucky University and Holley Performance Products.
The Chamber partnered with the Bowling Green Economic Development Authority earlier this year to purchase two second-generation Chevrolet Camaros from Holley Performance Products and donated them to the Warren County Area Technology Center and Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College.
During the 2015-16 school year, students will completely rebuild the cars using multiple educational disciplines, including science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). During this process, industry experts will work closely with students and faculty to aid in the development of the cars as well as the curriculum.
In 2016, the cars will compete in the Holley LSFest Grand Champion competition, while also being judged on their business/marketing plan and their use of STEM educational principles.
"This collaborative approach involves science, technology, engineering, math, business, automotive and welding standards," said Eric Keeling, Warren County ATC principal. "This mixture of theory and real-life application will provide kinesthetic learners with the opportunity to learn academic standards while actually touching and experiencing the 'why' they need to know a particular concept. This initiative will inspire excitement and passion for students who are interested in all things automotive."
The Warren County Tech Center will establish build team partners in each of their sectors, collaborating with each of the feeder schools.
"With over 4,000 manufacturing job openings anticipated in 2016, the On Track initiative will help stimulate the development of highly-skilled talent for the future workforce of South Central Kentucky," said Bowling Green Mayor Bruce Wilkerson. "I'm eager to be a part of this pioneering endeavor."
According to the 2013 Urgent Call to Action study, South Central Kentucky will have 9,000 job openings in manufacturing alone by 2020. The On Track initiative introduces STEM concepts in a practical setting that will help develop a highly skilled talent pipeline for the region.
For more information, contact Kim Phelps at the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce by calling 270-901-4611 or emailing kim@bgchamber.com.
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