About our program.
MINDDRIVE is a project-based experiential learning program that serves students from around the Kansas City Metro. Mentoring is a key component of our after-school programs with a student-to-mentor ratio of 2:1. We teach problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration through math, science, technology, innovation and communication, giving our students deep-level experience with real world applications.
Where It All Began
MINDDRIVE started as a class in creativity taught by Steve Rees at DeLaSalle Education Center and quickly developed into an independent not-for-profit corporation in 2010 with a focus on automotive design and communications.
With the help of Linda Buchner and initial investment from Bridgestone America, six students and six mentors began work on their first real automotive project converting a salvaged Indy race car into an electric vehicle. This project was the first of many to push the boundaries of innovation and technology for Kansas City high school students. It was during this project that a dedicated group of students led by Steve and Linda with the help of community mentors made MINDDRIVE a reality.
Co-Founders Steve Rees and Linda Buchner took the initial successes of the program and created a weekend program with not only a focus on automotive design but also creative communications. By engaging students in hands-on, mentor supported STEM related programming, MINDDRIVE has and continues to expand students’ vision of what is possible for their future.
MINDDRIVE expanded in 2015 and entered the Electrathon programming. Then, in 2016, the program began offering evening classes and summer programming serving over 100 students annually. It is because of the generous support from corporations, foundations and individuals from the Kansas City community that MINDDRIVE has been able to grow and develop to the organization it is now.
Ground-Breaking Projects
1 Lola, a beautifully designed transparent car built from a wrecked Lola racecar chassis, achieved over 400 MPGe on the Firestone Proving Grounds in Fort Stockton, TX making this young organization known worldwide. Lola made trips to the Indianapolis 500, CARS 2 premiere in Hollywood, and on display at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of art.
2 Lotus Esprit, our first street-legal car. “Electrifying Education Coast To Coast” became the name of our drive from San Diego, CA to Jacksonville, FL. It was flawless and an achievement no other group (including the car manufacturers) had ever accomplished! Students made presentations to groups all along the 2300 mile journey.
3 VW Karmann Ghia, full restoration and conversion to a full electric, that would be attractive to potential buyers. Considerable effort was made to create an awareness campaign, called the "Social Fuel Tour," which was a journey to Washington D.C. where students held a Congressional Briefing about how experiential, hands-on learning leads to good jobs.
4Based on the experience and success of the first Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, we proceeded to retrofit 4 more. The year culminated in a trip down the Pacific Coast Highway, on our "Raise Your Hand Tour." The students made presentations while visiting Tesla Motors, Google HQ, Twitter, The Tech Shop, Stanford University and San Franciso City Hall.
5We joined Electrathon America, competing with student built cars in races of efficiency. Able to design and fabricate several cars throughout the year, we are able to engage more students in the process. Competitions are held regionally throughout the year, in which the student teams are constantly learning, and working to improve on their designs.
6Working out of Operation Breakthrough’s Ignition Lab, have completed a truly unique project: the conversion of a classic 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS into an electric vehicle (EV). This is the world’s first student-built electric muscle car. With guidance from MINDDRIVE instructors, students learned hands-on technical skills by adapting a Tesla Model S drivetrain to fit the ’69 Chevelle, which required custom fabrication and suspension work, as well as modifications to the vehicle’s frame.