Fifteen Northern Utah high school students completed the inaugural ASPIRE Summer EV Academy last week, building an electric vehicle from the ground up at Utah State University’s Innovation Campus. The five-day program, which took place from July 27 through July 31, provided hands-on experience with electric vehicle systems to prepare students for future careers in engineering, manufacturing, and energy.
Hands-On Vehicle Construction
The intensive workshop allowed students to move beyond traditional classroom concepts to engage in real-world applications. Using a street-legal vehicle platform developed by Switch Vehicles Inc., participants worked on electrical wiring, battery components, and overall vehicle integration.
Cameron Cox, a senior electrical engineering student at Utah State University, assisted in teaching the academy. Cox noted that the students were responsible for much of the construction rather than merely observing demonstrations.
"The students, they make everything," Cox said. "We’ll give some pointers, but they make it from the ground up. All the wiring, minus anything that could be dangerous, they put together."
STEM Career Pathways
The ASPIRE Summer EV Academy was designed as a pilot program to introduce students to the evolving world of electrified transportation. The curriculum focused on several core technical areas, including electrical wiring and system integration, EV battery fundamentals, and the functionality of core vehicle components.
According to the ASPIRE Research Center, the initiative aims to create early pathways for students to explore careers in advanced manufacturing and energy systems. By immersing students in a university environment, the program seeks to strengthen the problem-solving and collaboration skills required by modern employers.
Jennifer Taylor, Director of Pre-College Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder and an ASPIRE partner, said that project-based learning like the academy ignites a student's understanding of STEM and motivates them to pursue related careers by making complex concepts real.
Addressing Workforce Demands
The academy is part of a larger mission for the ASPIRE Engineering Research Center to advance electric transportation while simultaneously preparing the next generation of engineers. Organizers expressed hope for offering additional sessions in the future as the demand for skilled workers in the industry continues to grow.
Program Coordinator Kat Webb noted that early exposure is critical to recruitment in the STEM fields. Webb explained that research shows most students have a general idea of their career direction by middle school, necessitating outreach to younger students to expand the talent pipeline.
"We know from some of our research that most students have kind of got an idea of where they want to go by middle school," Webb said. "So if we want to get more students in STEM fields, we have to advertise it to younger and younger students."
Building the Talent Pipeline
The program highlights the growing importance of workforce development in electrification and infrastructure. ASPIRE, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center, works with over 400 global collaborators to develop seamless and affordable electrified transportation systems.
Sally Vogel, a recent ASPIRE graduate who now serves as an electrical engineer at the center, noted the value of seeing a professional engineering environment firsthand. Vogel said the immersive nature of such programs provides students with a better understanding of the resources available in the valley to assist them after high school graduation.
Brandon Watt, marketing and community manager at Switch Vehicles, Inc., stated that the Switch Lab EV program offers a unique opportunity for Utah students to work directly with real EV technology at a university level. Watt noted that the ability to build and drive a real vehicle during summer break is a rarity for most students.
Program Overview
The ASPIRE Summer EV Academy was hosted at the Electric Vehicle and Roadway (EVR) facility in North Logan, Utah. The pilot program was open to students entering grades 9 through 12 for the 2026-27 school year.
By engaging students early, the program supports long-term goals to strengthen the talent pipeline needed to support advancements in electric mobility and energy systems. ASPIRE continues to focus on reducing emissions and improving air quality through research and workforce training.
