Minddrive is a Kansas City-based program that states its mission to be one that inspires children to learn, as well as expanding ‘their vision of the future’. How does it do this? Well, Minddrive teaches the children how to convert old cars into an electric model in its Automotive Design Studio, in which 28 teenagers are currently being taught. Those who started the initiative say that it teaches the children to learn important skills, such as teamwork, entrepreneurship, critical thinking and creativity.
Minddrive says that the students are able to choose to align themselves with the particular part of the project that excites them and their mentors – trained, professional individuals – give their time and energy to teaching and forging relationships with the students.
Sponsorship
The program is funded through sponsorship, from the likes of the Hertz Corporation (car hire), Bridgestone (a tyre manufacturer), SONIC® (‘America’s Drive-In’), http://www.sonicdrivein.com/, KCP&L, Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Kansas City, American Society of Mechanical Engineers Foundation (ASME) and VML. With such well-known names in the automotive industry providing sponsorship, it is clear that Minddrive is something special. A number of companies operating on a local level also provide sponsorship.
The children
The program currently serves 40 students from the inner core of Kansas City from five schools, but a few of the students come from rural areas. The children taking part in Minddrive are considered to be ‘at risk’ children who in the words of the Minddrive website are ‘slipping through the cracks’ of the mainstream educational system.
Minddrive does indeed appear to provide an innovative method of teaching, using a number of alternative teaching techniques, such as one-on-one mentoring and hands-on teaching that enable the student learn in a ‘new way’. Using these techniques Minddrive is able to address the specific individual needs of the student, helping them to overcome any issues that might have previously hindered learning.
Applications are accepted in August ever year and the program itself begins the following month. The students and their parents have signed contracts to say that they understand the requirements of the program.
