Students at St. Maximilian Kolbe School in West Chester combined fun, learning, and charity for their latest STEM project, writes Bill Rettew for the Daily Local News.

For the project, around 200 eighth-graders designed and built prototypes of solar-powered food trucks. Once completed, the food trucks were raced in the school parking lot to the delight of the students. The event was organized with help from art teacher Pat Frantz and science teacher Mary Riccardo.

In science class, students connected solar panels to a motor on their trucks, while in art class they built a themed truck. Then, after choosing a signature dish, the students calculated a price for 100 servings and designed a fundraiser.

The event raised $1,000 for AO1 Foundation. The foundation helps three ministries, including Mission for Hope in Haiti. There, it helped develop a sports complex along with food trucks and an outdoor program.

Throughout the event, blue ribbons were given for best creative design, best business plan, race winner, and overall winner.

“By combining all these disciplines, we were able to make real-life connections,” said Principal Monica Malseed.

Read more about the STEM project in the Daily Local News here.