About Us

The Rhode Island Computer Museum (RICM) in partnership with the Exeter-West Greenwich Junior/Senior High School Library and the Chariho Regional High School Library has been selected by OLIS for an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded grant to support learning. The partnership will participate in the Greenpower Electric Car Challenge, a hands-on STEM project that encourages students to explore aspects of design and teamwork. Opportunities for hands-on, in-person collaborative learning have been limited during the pandemic and this project will give over 30 students the opportunity to connect with peers, library staff, career and technical faculty, and a mentor from the RI Computer Museum to build and customize a formula-24 car kit as a real-world exploration of STEM careers.

Students will work in two teams, one from each school, to build and race their cars. Each team will be supported by librarians, teachers, and engineer mentors as they collaborate on their car projects. The project will develop over the course of the school year, and the event race will take place in April or early May. Students will make a video documenting the learning process and the main race event.

This project was made possible in part by a grant from the RI Office of Library & Information Services using funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.