UTEP and EPE Expand Mobile Classroom to Prepare Students for STEM Fields

EL PASO, TX – The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and El Paso Electric (EPE) unveiled additions to UTEP’s 26-foot-long K-12 mobile classroom designed to teach energy and engineering concepts and their real-world relevance while encouraging students to pursue STEM-related careers.

The electric utility company commented made it known that the electricity project additions to the Discover-E Engineering and Computing Lab classroom is a product of a memorandum of understanding signed last year by UTEP President Heather Wilson and EPE CEO Kelly A. Tomblin to enhance energy research and improve education in the El Paso region.

“We are proud to showcase this powerful collaboration with UTEP to better prepare our young people for jobs in the energy and engineering industry. At El Paso Electric, it is our mission to transform our energy landscape by leveraging technology and driving growth in the region,” said Tomblin.

According to the EPE president, with this new mobile classroom, meaningful connections with the community will be generated to inspire the next generation of engineers.

“Engaged learning will help K-12 students in our region get excited about careers in engineering and STEM fields. The Discover-E Engineering and Computing Lab classroom with new additions from our partners at El Paso Electric will create those opportunities to inspire future engineers,” Wilson said.

The Discover-E mobile classroom is powered by six 400-watt solar panels mounted on the roof of the trailer. It also has a 5 kW battery storage system to store energy for use during times of high cloud cover or at night.

Inside the lab, with new projects from El Paso Electric, K-12 students discover how energy is generated, distributed and consumed, as well as learn about energy efficiency, sustainability, smart thermostats, solar panels, battery storage, electric vehicles (EVs) and more.

Source: MEXICONOW Staff