Greenpower USA Foundation
Greenpower USA is a premier Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program that provides students in grades 4 through 12 a hands-on, project-based learning experience that engages students academically and builds critical employability skills. Greenpower USA provides its customers: a customizable, standards-aligned curriculum; car kits and parts; access to premiere race events; and training and technical support. With a curriculum that builds each year’s objectives upon accumulated skills and knowledge, Greenpower USA graduates high school seniors into post-secondary education, and the workforce with levels of advanced manufacturing and engineering project management experience rarely found in the K-12 educational landscape.
After a successful pilot program in 2011, the Greenpower USA Foundation (“Greenpower USA”) was incorporated in October 2014 as a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization located in Huntsville, Alabama. Greenpower USA operates pursuant to a license agreement with Greenpower Education Trust. The licensee agreement establishes Greenpower USA as the exclusive licensee of the Greenpower Education Trust program in the United States.
The Greenpower Electric Car Challenge was founded in 1999 in the United Kingdom (“UK”) by the Greenpower Education Trust6 with the goal of enhancing the teaching and learning of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through a highly engaging and inspirational design-build-race competition. With an emphasis on sustainable, multi-disciplinary, and cross-curricular applied-learning, the Greenpower Challenge has categories covering the entire range of education.
Greenpower Education Trust supplies teams with a car building kit which can be used to build an electric race car in school, college, or elsewhere and then raced at Greenpower organized events. Alternatively, participating teams may design and build their own car from scratch, working within Greenpower Education Trust’s technical and sporting regulations. Greenpower Education Trust works with over 700 teams throughout the UK and holds more than 35 regional races, including an international final every year. More than 10,000 students, from elementary age through university, compete annually in Greenpower Education Trust events.
Greenpower Education Trust has opened its doors to allow licensees to establish Greenpower programs all over the world. Currently, Greenpower Education Trust has active licensees in China, India, Malaysia, Poland, Singapore, and the United States.
Board of Directors
Drew Sparks - president
Drew Sparks has been involved in the Greenpower USA program since its inception in 2014. He has served as a team sponsor, race director, program coordinator and Greenpower USA President. Through his time in the program, he has worked with teams across the country implementing the Greenpower program.
Susan Moon - Vice President
Susan is a lifelong children's advocate. She served as a PTA President, science teacher, and building/district level administrator with Huntsville City Schools (HCS). During this time, she originated numerous programs for the district including Project Lead the Way, Cyber Security, Greenpower, and the Emergency Medical Services program. In her role as Career Academy Director, Susan oversaw Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs in which HCS students earned top spots in state, national, and international competitions. Seeing a disconnection between much of what happens in the classroom and that which students find relevant to their daily lives, in 2011 Susan and her family incorporated the nonprofit Much Is Expected, Inc. Much Is Expected, Inc. has since worked to provide support for exciting STEM programs across Alabama. Susan was recognized as Alabama PTA Teacher of the Year in 2012 for her work with STEM programs at Grissom High School. Since retiring as an educator, she has worked as a Vice President of Moon Construction Services, Inc. and assisted with the family farm which produces local vegetables, pecans, eggs and beef.
Dr. Hank McCladdie - Treasurer
Henry McCladdie is the Director of Student Services at DeKalb Agricultural Technology and Environment, responsible for implementing Green-Power USA into CTAE pathways . Henry has been a graduate teaching assistant, K-12 teacher, adjunct professor, and school administrator. Henry has also served on Wade Walker YMCA Advisory Board, where he was instrumental in developing and raising funds for the WHY IT MATTERS Annual Giving Campaign. Henry holds a B.A. from Morehouse College, M.A. from Auburn University, and Ed.D from Clark Atlanta University. Henry is based out of Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Jeffery Wilson - Secretary
Dr. Jeffrey Wilson is Director of Operations for HCS, supervising the Facilities, Maintenance, Security, Transportation, and Property/Asset Management Departments. He joined HCS in 2012, and has supported Greenpower USA since its inception. has been He is a retired US Army Logistics Corps Lieutenant Colonel who served 27 years in various logistics support roles and as an Assistant Professor at West Point.
Javier Garcia
Javier Garcia currently serves as an afterschool program site coordinator with the Santa Rosa Independent School District. For over 25 years, he has overseen a multitude of university outreach programs, projects, and grants for underserved students. Javier worked as the director for 8 years for the Rio Grande Valley Regional Science and Engineering Fair and currently sits on its advisory board. He is the president of the STEMS Alumni Association, an educational outreach non-profit that fosters K-16 student development in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Science (STEM). Growing up humble in Brownsville, Texas, Javier is inspired to ignite youths' educational potential by providing guidance and confidence with hope of having them gain successful careers and become respectful stewards in their community. With support of many volunteers and staff, Javier organized the first Green Power USA races in Texas, one in Brownsville and 2 in Houston. He is honored to serve on the Green Power USA Foundation Board of Directors and will offer his experience to expand GPUSA throughout the country. Javier enjoys running, kayaking, hiking, birding, and constructing home improvement projects.
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Chip Giles
Give customers a reason to do business with you. Chip Giles has been associated with Greenpower racing for four years. He led the way in bringing Greenpower to Georgia as principal of Long Cane Middle School. There are currently over 50 car teams working in Georgia. He served in the Army National Guard for thirty years and has been in education for twenty-four years. He is married to a math teacher and loves offshore and coastal fishing. He currently serves as the Transportation Director for Troup County Schools in LaGrange, Georgia.
Scott Wiginton
Started in Career Tech as an Agriscience teacher with 14 years in the classroom, administration of the junior high school, Career Tech Director for 6 years, one year at the State Dept of Ed as the Educational Administrator for Technical Education. Started with Huntsville in August.