Electric Vehicle Pioneer Chip Yates Announced as Conrad Foundation Spokesman; Commitment to Innovation, STEM Education Drives Partnership
Houston, Texas (PRWEB) October 03, 2013 -- Today, Nancy Conrad, founder and chairman of the Conrad Foundation, announced a new and exciting partnership with Chip Yates, world record holder in all-electric airplanes and motorcycles. Beginning in October, Yates will be the official spokesperson for the Conrad Foundation’s Spirit of Innovation Challenge.
An innovator and entrepreneur committed to breaking the boundaries of ordinary thinking, Yates is an electric vehicle pioneer known worldwide for pushing the envelope with green technology advancement. In the past year Yates has set four World Records in the electric Long-ESA airplane he developed and pilots, bringing his overall total for international electric vehicle records to 14.
As the official spokesperson for the Spirit of Innovation Challenge, Yates will share with young people and educators around the world some lessons learned from pushing limits of technology forward, including what it takes to be a pioneer in global solutions and why overcoming failures is one of the critical elements to success and to reaching human potential. Yates is a passionate advocate of science and technology education for youth.
“I am excited to be part of inspiring the next wave of visionaries,” he said. “It is important to show young people that to try, fail, try and repeat until success is achieved is an important part of the innovation process. I hope my experiences can inspire the kids in the Spirit of Innovation Challenge to relentlessly pursue their goals.”
The Spirit of Innovation Challenge celebrates the life and entrepreneurial spirit of astronaut Pete Conrad, the third man to walk on the moon. The program challenges students ages 13 – 18 to use science, technology, engineering and math skills along with creativity, collaboration and entrepreneurship to develop products and services to benefit humanity and address global sustainability.
“It was Pete’s personal drive and entrepreneurial spirit that propelled him to embrace innovation to achieve his goals, walk on the moon and leave a legacy we are so proud to honor. Pete would have admired Chip’s tireless pursuit of innovative design,” Conrad said.
There is still time to sign up for the 2013-2014 Spirit of Innovation Challenge. Through Oct. 24, student teams worldwide are encouraged to submit one-page abstracts detailing their innovations in one of the competition’s four challenge categories: Aerospace and Aviation, Cybertechnology and Security, Energy and Environment, and Health and Nutrition.
For more information about Yates, visit http://www.flightofthecentury.com or follow him on Twitter at @ChipFlight. Yates will also be featured Oct 5 - 6 at the California Capital Airshow, one of the nation’s largest, where he will attempt two additional Guinness world speed records in front of the crowd. In addition, Yates will be part of the airshow’s STEM Launch Pad, a hands-on experience that gives teens the chance to become exposed to aerospace technology and learn what it’s like to become a pilot. Oct. 19 Yates will profile his electric journey, as a featured speaker at TEDxBURMUDA.
For more information about the Conrad Foundation, visit http://www.ConradAwards.org, or contact the Spirit of Innovation Challenge at info(at)conradawards.org.
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About the Conrad Foundation
The Conrad Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to immersive learning, where students use their imagination and innovation to enrich their classroom. The Foundation is the only organization of its kind whose programs combine science and technology-based education, innovation and entrepreneurship to inspire solutions for achieving global sustainability. For more information, visit http://www.conradfoundation.org.
The Conrad Foundation’s Spirit of Innovation Challenge celebrates the life and entrepreneurial spirit of astronaut Pete Conrad, third man to walk on the Moon. The annual program invites teens work in teams of 2-5 students and use STEM skills along with creativity, collaboration and entrepreneurship to develop innovative solutions to benefit humanity and address global sustainability. Finalist teams receive a travel grant to present at the 2014 Innovation Summit at NASA Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston for a chance to win a $10,000 seed grant to develop their product or service.
About Chip Yates
At only 13 years old, Yates was destined to utilize his education to push the current limits of technology. He saved $50.00 and convinced his parents to invest an additional $50.00 in order to buy and rebuild his first motorcycle. Since then, Yates has become a highly dynamic and proven leader who is recognized worldwide as an electric vehicle pioneer and green technology innovator.
Yates quickly set his sights on aviation and adapted his water-cooled 258 horsepower electric motor and controller system to an aircraft designed by Burt Rutan (famed aerospace engineer, best known for the design of SpaceShipOne, the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, and Voyager); but Yates had one problem – he was not a pilot. He earned his pilot’s license in two months and had only 58 hours when he flew on July 18, 2012, where he established a world speed record for his self-built electric powered aircraft of 202 mph.
For more information about Chip Yates, his latest invention or Flight of the Century please visit http://www.flightofthecentury.com or you can follow him on Twitter @chipyates89.
Carrie Taylor, Conrad Foundation, http://www.conradawards.org, +1 (832) 864-7223, [email protected]
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