Switch Vehicles

A midst the competitive job market, project-based learning (PBL) has emerged as a powerful approach to bridge the gap between theoretical education and real-world industry demands. For emerging STEM-driven sectors like EVs, where hands-on skills are paramount, project-based learning (PBL) serves as a powerful gateway for aspiring students to break into the industry. At the forefront of this movement is Switch Vehicles, a pioneer in EV education.

The company provides students hands-on experience of theoretical ideas, enhancing retention and improving learning outcomes. It provides students the opportunity to assemble, program, and deeply explore EV systems. By equipping learners of all ages with “build-it-yourself” EV kits, Switch Vehicles delivers practical knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of how EVs work from the ground up.

“We give schools a competitive edge with our project-based learning approach,” says Brandon Watt, marketing director of Switch Vehicles. “When a client comes to us, they get everything needed to run a successful program, from end-to-end support and practical resources to ongoing assistance for long-term success.”

The company’s offerings include training workshops, curriculum resources along with safety gear and reusable toolkits. This eliminates the need for schools to rely on multiple vendors or trainers, streamlining the adoption of EV education and empowering institutions to deliver more impactful learning experiences.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

At the heart of its innovations is Switch Lab™, an all-inclusive, turnkey program, offering dual vehicle options and levels of curriculum that aligns to industry standards such as ASC. It is designed to be adaptable for a range of courses and schedules, supporting STEM, CTE and common core in one package.

Switch Lab™ enables students to collaborate and assemble a road-ready electric vehicle with its reusable kits that includes all necessary components like the chassis, DC or Permanent Magnet drive system, battery and all required wiring.

Through its turnkey solutions and programs, Switch Vehicles tackles key industry challenges that often hinder the implementation of PBL, such as funding, managing high-voltage equipment, and overcoming logistical barriers.

When a client comes to us, they get everything needed to run a successful program, from end-to-end support and practical resources to ongoing assistance for long-term success

The programs are designed to meet diverse educational needs with its scalable models. For instance, the company provides a base model for middle school engineering classes, building a foundation for higher education. For high schools and colleges, Switch Vehicles designed a preparatory model that delivers higher-level engineering knowledge, setting students up for careers in the rapidly evolving EV sector.

Expanding its educational offerings, the company introduced the EV trainer, a rolling insulated cart with a high-voltage propulsion system designed to be flexible and cost-effective. The trainer can be rolled across various departments and could be used for various teachings from high-voltage engineering to battery management system configuration. It has proved to be highly beneficial for institutes with limited space, ensuring STEM education is accessible to everyone.

To ensure safe handling of high-voltage equipment operating between 72 to 112 volts, the company offers advanced five-day training sessions for instructors, precise safety regulations and designs that are easy to use. By offering features like control panels and transparent battery box covers, high-voltage systems are made less intimidating for students as well as educators.

Building the Future

To further support students, Switch Vehicles offers various scholarships and community programs. The company sparks creativity and community engagement through event scholarships, offering compensation for showcasing their EV creations at local events. Students are also encouraged to submit design modifications for the Switch Lab EV, with scholarships awarded for their innovative ideas every year. Beyond financial support, students gain the chance to see their designs prototyped, earning a valuable credential to enhance their resumes and boost future career opportunities.

Switch Vehicle’s philosophy of providing long-lasting value education is underscored through its four-year partnership with Wichita State University Technical School in Kansas. After adopting its first program, the base model, the university returned to adopt the high-end program within a year. Both models proved to be a success, with high enrollment, high retention and high engagement. Two years later, the university also bought the EV trainer for their EV 101 class. Today, it runs a full-fledged EV training center, and a great part of that was made possible by Switch Vehicles.

Switch Vehicle’s holistic approach toward education and long-term value creation ensures schools, students and educators alike are empowered to succeed in a landscape where green technology dominates. As Watt puts it, “We’re a complete bridge to OEMs, offering schools everything they need to build future-ready EV professionals.”