Citrus College

The Citrus College CAPE Owls put on a strong showing among 125 student teams from across North, Central and South America competing at the eighth annual Shell Eco-marathon Competition to determine whose student-built vehicle can travel the farthest distance using the least amount of energy.

The Citrus Automotive and Physics Eco-marathon (CAPE) Owls – an interdisciplinary research group composed of seven physics and automotive technology students – was selected to compete in the recent global event at the Discovery Green Park in Houston.

Students showcased the ultra energy-efficient vehicle they designed, built and tested, and then drove it in an effort to prove that it is capable of meeting the growing demands of fuel-efficient transportation.

“Our talented CAPE Owl students are accomplishing very impressive feats that are providing them with invaluable hands-on learning experiences,” said Superintendent/President Geraldine M. Perri. “They have the ability to use this global platform to inspire creativity and enact change.”

Global competition The Shell Eco-marathon, one of the world’s most difficult student innovation competitions, takes place annually in Europe, Asia and the Americas. The latter includes 125 teams and thousands of high school and college students from North, Central and South American countries.

This is the first time the CAPE Owls participated.

“Each team is challenged to use their knowledge of science, engineering and technology to discover new techniques and create energy-efficient futuristic cars,” said the group’s co-adviser and physics instructor Lucia Riderer. “To be part of such a major educational project is an outstanding opportunity for our students to work together and shape the future of energy through innovation.”

The CAPE Owls consists of seven skilled students with a variety of educational backgrounds. They are Patricia Barroso of Pomona, Kyle Beers of Azusa, Alexus Fraire of Covina, Enrico Gutierrez of Azusa, Alex Leu of Alhambra and Alec Nystrom and Susan Vong, both from West Covina.

Their futuristic prototype vehicle named Citrus EV8 used a heavily modified scooter engine to maximize fuel efficiency.

“This competition enables our students to turn their vision of sustainable mobility into reality using the concepts, knowledge and techniques they’ve explored while at Citrus College,” said Mario Rubio, co-adviser and auto technology instructor. “I’m proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish so far and look forward to cheering them on.”

Diverse energy sources During the competition, the student cars ran on energy sources ranging from diesel and biofuels to solar and electricity, offering up a variety of solutions and approaches to sustainable mobility and fuel efficiency.

Over several days, teams attempted to travel the farthest on the equivalent of one gallon of fuel.

CAPE Owls member Susa Vo g, of West Covi a, sits i the team’s 2014 Shell Eco-maratho competitio e try, a futuristic prototype vehicle amed Citrus EV8, which will utilize a heavily modified scooter e gi e to maximize fuel efficie cy.