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            The Art Center College of Design, a top design and engineering college, is working again with design programs at PCC to create a unique learning opportunity for six chosen students.

            The “Formula E (elastic)” racecar design project is 14 weeks long. One PCC student is paired with two graduate engineering students to create a car that will run on one industrial strength rubber band as an energy source, according to Design Instructor Stan Kong.  He chose students with a high interest in design and a good sense of professionalism. “They are great representatives of PCC,” Kong said.

            The project began in 2006 by the Art Center’s Andy Ogden. Last year was the first time PCC students were included in the program. Ogden, a long time friend of Kong, a past instructor at and alumnus of PCC, explained he was more than happy to offer access to students who wanted to expand their knowledge and experience in design. “Stan kind of guilt – tripped me into getting PCC students in on the race,” Ogden chuckled, “It was a great experience last year, so, we are doing it again.”

            There were a few concerns with beginning the integration last year, said Kong. “We were worried about the age difference and more importantly the huge discrepancy with the education levels. But the teams worked well. The older students were like mentors and the younger students rose to the call of duty,” said Kong with a smile.

             “It’s really a great learning experience for the students, and it’s a top rank division with highly focused individuals,” Kong said. “Plus, the grad students usually take care of the cost for the car.”

A racecar of about 18 inches can cost up to $1,000, according to Kong.

             Graduate student John Badalamenti helped to pay for his winning racecar last year. His team members were graduate student Jan Lienhard, who has an internship with Porsche this summer, and PCC student Zhun Wang, who received a scholarship to attend Art Center this coming year.  “Jan and I paid for the car parts, we wanted to take the load of off Zhun,” Badalamenti said.

            Industrial design major Justin Babikian is looking forward to working with higher – level students. “It will be a different learning experience. It won’t be like professors lecturing students, it’s more on an equal playing ground,” he said.

            The students unanimously agreed there was an opportunity to learn different perspectives. Entertainment design major Ericc Yip explained his major is very different and out of the ordinary compared to the other design students. “I want to see the different ways to integrate engineering and entertainment design,” he said, “There are more possibilities.”

            According to Ogden, the most important learning experience is working in teams. “It’s different to learn in groups. Learning the art of how to be in a team with people you don’t know is very rewarding,” said Ogden.

 Kong felt the same. “Teamwork is key, and it makes the learning experience fun,” he said with a smile.

             Badalamenti explained how the team’s experience was expansive. “It was different in the beginning. Jan and I were on a different level than Zhun. But he was willing to learn and had a hand in the concept design of our car. I enjoyed it,” he said.

            Kong has high hopes for this year’s “Formula E” racing teams. “Students say this is one of the best experiences they have in college. Last year, six of the eight PCC students who were in the project decided to [transfer] to the Art Center. It’s a phenomenal place for opportunity,” he said.

A model of Formula E-Racer that won first place last year at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif. on Thursday, May 17, 2012. (Daniel Nerio/Courier )

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