Dunbar High School Shines in Statewide EV Race: Third Place Victory!

Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, Florida, USA - The excitement was palpable at the Sebring International Raceway on May 17, 2025, as students from across Florida competed in the FPL Electrathon race. Schools from Miami to Pensacola showcased their engineering prowess in this unique event, designed to foster a love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Among the shining stars was the Dunbar High School team, who secured a remarkable third place in the overall standings of the FPL Electrathon Speedway Series.

Dunbar High School truly raced into the spotlight, with one of their students piloting an electric vehicle (EV) to a notable second-place finish at the prestigious Daytona International Speedway. It’s evident that the efforts made by Florida Power & Light (FPL) and NASCAR to spark interest in STEM careers are paying off. Through the Electrathon initiative, students receive build kits and hands-on training, allowing them to design and construct their own EV go-karts.

Understanding the Electrathon Series

The FPL Electrathon Speedway Series runs the course of the year, engaging students in friendly yet competitive races where their self-built vehicles take center stage. Not only is this competition about speed, but it’s also a testament to teamwork, creativity, and critical problem-solving skills essential for future careers in STEM fields. FPL’s commitment to expanding Electrathon America across Florida means even more high school students will have the chance to get involved, with new teams receiving invaluable resources like training and maintenance tools.

The impressive performance of the Dunbar team stands out in the recent race results, with the overall winners of the series being:

• Navarre High School
• Miami Coral Park
• Dunbar High School

In the exhilarating Electrathon Daytona 2025 standings for high schools, Dunbar finished second with 69 laps, just shy of Kirkland Ranch’s astounding 73 laps and ahead of teams like Navarre High School and Allen D. Nease High:

The Future of STEM in Florida

As we look toward the future, the Electrathon program continues to rise in prominence as a vehicle—no pun intended—for inspiring the next generation of engineers and innovators. The push from FPL to foster new Electrathon teams means that more students will soon have the opportunity to get their hands dirty, designing and racing EVs while learning practical applications of STEM principles. With a focus on creativity and problem-solving, this initiative does more than promote competition—it encourages young minds to tackle real-world challenges with enthusiasm.

As the excitement from the recent races settles, one thing is clear: events like these are not just about racing, they are about preparing Florida’s youth for bright futures in STEM fields. For those who want to learn more about getting involved, details can be found at the Electrathon America website.