Power Systems Research (PSR) is committed to giving back to its community and to stimulating the growth and education of America’s future scientists and engineers now studying at the high school level.
George Zirnhelt, the founder of PSR, was a generous donor to many community organizations, especially those involving high school students interested in engineering and science. Two projects in particular attracted his interest: The Experimental Vehicle Team (EVT) at St. Thomas Academy in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota, and Lightning Robotics FIRST teams at Eastview High School in Apple Valley, MN.
Thuy Trinh Nguyen, a senior at Eagan High School, Eagan, Minnesota, is the recipient of the 2021 Power Systems Research $2,000 academic scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a student who will be attending a four-year college with a career objective in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics.
She will use the scholarship to study biology and sociology (Pre-Med) at Harvard College.
“My favorite subject,” says Thuy, “is AP Physics–it not only taught me how to calculate my initial velocity, but also helps me recognize the fundamentals of life. Everything is organized with a plan.”
Thuy’s favorite pastime is shopping for the best deals at the Mall of America, and never being tired of shopping. (“Sorry, Dad!”) She also enjoys watching One Direction music videos and crocheting.
Her favorite high school memory: “After the Chemistry finals for Trimester 2, Mr. Elliott somehow allowed me to make ramen in his class. It certainly made up for the headache I got from balancing chemical equations.”
This year, 112 students will receive scholarships totaling $129,950 through the program.
Power Systems Research has been supporting high school science and engineering programs for many years. It has been donating to the Eagan Foundation Scholarship program since 2013.
Another program PSR funds is the Experimental Vehicle Team at St. Thomas Academy in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota. The school successfully competes in international competitions with high schools and universities to build the most energy efficient vehicles. PSR
Samuel Libaire, a senior at Eagan High School, Eagan, Minnesota, has received the 2020 Power Systems Research $2,500 academic scholarship.
He will use the scholarship to study Computer Science at Vanderbilt University.
“My favorite subject is computer science,” says Samuel. “It is one of the only subjects that can have multiple solutions to a single problem while also proving instantly that some don’t work. In many sciences, theories are never 100% true, but in computer science, a program either works perfectly or it simply doesn’t.”
MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN–Students at St. Thomas Academy High School in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota, are using 3D printers in their Innovation Center to produce face shields for first responders and medical personnel who are battling the coronavirus.
The school has garnered some national exposure for the manufacturing work it has done with its 3D printers, including time on an ABC News broadcast and a nice article in the St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press newspaper.
Power Systems Research is a co-founder of the Innovation Center that’s part of the company’s effort to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs at local high schools.
Editor’s Note: Caroline Little teaches all levels of French and moderates an engineering co-curricular at St. Thomas Academy, an all-boys school in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Here she provides a report on the program and the benefits it provides to participating students.
Power Systems Research has been a lead sponsor of the special Experimental Vehicle Team (EVT) at St. Thomas for many years. This year, the team won its class in the Shell Eco-Marathon international competition in London. This report from Ms. Little discusses the program and the benefits it provides for high school students interested in science, technology, engineering and match (STEM).
By Caroline Little
Every year for the past twenty the Saint Thomas Academy Experimental Vehicle Team (STA EVT) has built a new vehicle from the ground up to give our students the best engineering experience a high-schooler can get. The internationally recognized program started in 1997. My fellow moderator Mark Westlake and I believe in the importance of learning from mistakes. That the most important life lessons come from experience, that science is not always easy and that the answers are not always found in the back of the book.
PSR helps to sponsor international award-winning St. Thomas Academy (St. Paul, Minn.) Experimental Vehicle Team. This is a record of their 2014 winning effort.
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