LIMESTONE — It’s not everyday that the world’s fastest electric sidecar motorcycle finds itself in the lobby of a public school, but for the Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM), this was a pleasant surprise on the first night of its final week of girls’ camp July 15.
Contributed photo/Daniel Melega
MSSM Girls’ Summer Camp campers with Eva Håkansson, Bill Dubé and the electric sidecar motorcycle.
After a day of land speed races at the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Eva Håkansson, rider and builder, along with her crew chief and husband, Bill Dubé, came to share their passion for science and engineering with an enthusiastic crew of 95 campers from across Maine.
Håkansson set a new world record the previous day at the Loring Timing Association Land Speed Trials for the electric sidecar motorcycle at 188 mph. A graduate student of the University of Denver in mechanical engineering, she had much wisdom to share with girls interested in math and science.
Håkansson explained the science behind electric run motorcycles as well as the safety precautions necessary for a racer at speeds nearing 200 mph. From fire-proof clothing, to locking helmets, aerodynamic designs, and brake parachutes, campers learned that land speed motorcycle racing involves a careful understanding of both math and science.
“The battery pack was awesome. The motorcycle looks like something that would take a lot of gas, so I was surprised that it could go so fast just on electricity,” said Robyn White, a camper from Calais.
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| Contributed photo/Daniel Melega Eva Håkansson speaks with the attendees of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics Girls’ Summer Camp. Håkansson competed with her electric sidecar motorcycle in the Loring Timing Association’s Land Speed Trials over the weekend. |
Håkansson, who was born to a family of racers and engineers, explained to girls at camp that “you only have to be a little bit smart, but mostly you have to work really hard” to excel in science. For Håkansson, designing, building and racing motorcycles is a hobby that many campers could relate to.
For Allison Noddin, a camper from East Millinocket, having a passion for science as a hobby struck home. “I’m building a go-cart at home with pedals. I liked that she made it in her garage and it wasn’t a special kit,” Nodding said.
Håkansson hopes to build the world’s fastest electric motorcycle in the world of any kind and break the 400 mph record. Håkansson and Dubé believe this is a real possibility in the near future.
For the girls at camp, Håkansson left a lasting impression. “I learned that if you set your mind to it, you can build anything; you can do anything,” said Allison Johnson, a returning MSSM camper from Winthrop.
MSSM Summer Camp started 15 years ago as solely a girls’ camp with the specific vision of inspiring confidence and passion in young girls across the state of Maine in the fields of science and mathematics. This is the first year in over a decade that the girls’ program has reached its capacity, with waiting lists in every week.
Through the generous support of local businesses throughout Maine and through a grant with Time Warner Cable, the MSSM Summer Camp was able to award over 30 additional scholarships to girls to attend this year’s camp.
“I was surprised by Eva; she didn’t look like the type of girl that would build a motorcycle and weld metal” White said.
Indeed, with a stuffed rabbit named Bonnie S. Flats as co-pilot, Håkansson broke the mold of what some girls considered an adventurous engineer.
Breaking down barriers that keep girls from pursing science and math is very much what MSSM summer camp strives to do. As Håkansson pointed out, “Science can be really fun, and anyone can do it.”
The Maine School of Science and Mathematics is a public residential magnet school chartered and funded by the Maine State Legislature. Opened in 1995, MSSM has over 100 students from 81 towns and cities across Maine and beyond.
The school challenges students to achieve their aspirations by fostering intellectual growth through a rigorous curriculum in advanced mathematics, science, and humanities. The residential experience encourages personal accountability and the development of skills in relationships, healthful living, and social diversity. The mission is advanced through outreach programs including summer programs for middle school students and professional development opportunities for teachers throughout the state.
In 2012, U.S. World & News Report ranked the Maine School of Science and Mathematics the 38th best high school out of nearly 22,000 public high schools nationwide, and the ninth best magnet school.
For more information about MSSM, please visit the school’s website at www.mssm.org or contact the Admissions Office at (207) 325-3303.
