Video: Biking Cross-Country for Science
Rachel Woods-Robinson and Elizabeth Case, the team behind Cycle for Science make a quick stop in Oregon. Energy Department
Encouraging STEM studies, one mile at a time.
The riders of the Tour de France have nothing on these two science enthusiasts.
Rachel Woods-Robinson, a researcher at the Energy Department's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Elizabeth Case, a science journalist, are biking across the country for science.
The trip began April 17. Both Case and Woods-Robinson will cycle 4,000 miles, with only the saddle bags fitted to their bikes, and end their journey in New York City.
Along the way, they will stop at middle schools and libraries to teach a physics and renewable energy lesson using a 3-D-printed, solar-powered miniature bicycle known as the Sol Cycle, which Case and Woods-Robinson are developing, as well as to encourage students to get interested in STEM studies.
"We were a little worried that bringing a product that was still in progress would pose some issues in the classroom," Case said. "But instead, the kids looked at it and they were like, 'this is what we can make better.'"
Each classroom they visit will get to keep a Sol Cycle to experiment with.
See the bike riders in action in the video below, from the Energy Department: