Penn States' Shell Eco-Marathon Team, with the leadership of Leland Engel, placed 1st in the Fuel Cell Class at the Shell Eco-Marathon that was held April 10-12 at the California Speedway in Fontana, California. The challenge tests students to design and build eco-friendly vehicles that travel the farthest distance using the least amount of fuel. From vehicle design to financing, student teams manage their projects from start to finish. The team competed against 31 other teams including teams from Canada and Mexico.  

Achieving the best milage wasn't the only challenge, "Addressing challenges on and off the track and turning them into successes through teamwork and innovation is also a victory for student teams.  Months of planning helped teams stretch the boundaries of fuel efficiency." The event also allows students to gain real world experience by applying concepts taught in the classroom. 

The Penn State team was interviewed by CNN; the video of the interview can be seen on the CNN website.  Event photos, videos and results are available at the Shell-Eco website.

Team members (pictured below) are Nathaniel Troupe (manager), John Marryott, Rebecca Heckman, Laura Slingerland, Shawn Parsons, Devin Spratt, and Neel Abraham pictured with the car "Blood Sweat and Gears".