Edible Cars Give Lesson in Teamwork and Creativity (1211302)

November 30, 2012

LINCOLN, Neb. — This isn't the Boy Scouts' Pinewood Derby. Instead of wood, these cars are made of food and nothing else.

The Dec. 4 Incredible, Edible Vehicle Competition will take place from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the Great Plains Room of the Nebraska East Union. The event is free and open to the public.

Biological systems engineering professor Dennis Schulte started the contest to foster teamwork among first-year students and introduce them to problem solving and design in a fun way.

The four-member teams are given few rules. The car must be made only of food and they must eat it at the end of the race. A new constraint this year requires that the car be no more than 2,400 calories.

"They are encouraged to be creative, but also to meet the constraints of the competition," said Evan Curtis, student services coordinator for the biological systems engineering department.

Students have constructed cars from sausage, blocks of cheese, Rice Krispie treats and even raw spaghetti.

"The battle over cookies versus rice cakes for wheels is a popular debate," Curtis said.

Curtis is coordinating the event and said they expect 23 teams this year.

E-Day, a day for engineers, is held annually. Seniors show their engineering projects and companies represented by Department of Biological Systems Engineering alumni set up displays.

The edible car competition will be one of the activities at the event. The teams must roll their cars down a sloped track to see which one travels farthest and stays in one piece. The top three teams receive a certificate. Teams must also make a poster detailing the process of making the car.

11/30/12-KJ