Alumni stories beyond the track: Americas
Changemakers of Tomorrow: Episode 5
Last updated: November 8, 2024
Meet Charles from Canada, Sam from the United States and Alberto from Mexico, three former Shell Eco-marathon participants as they reflect on their experience in the competition and talk about how it has unlocked new skills and opportunities for them.
Shell Eco-marathon: Americas alumni
Read Transcript
Read Transcript
Title: Shell Eco-marathon: USA – Americas alumni
Duration: 04:50
Description: Shell Eco-marathon alumni, Charles Lagacé-Leblanc, Sam Brown and Alberto Barrita discuss the lasting effects the program has had on them
Americas alumni – Accessibility transcript
[Background music]
Engine noises transition into up-tempo music
[Visuals]
Opens on 3 x different clapper board shots before cutting to paddock shutter button being pushed. Then cuts to exterior paddock door shot
Charles voiceover:
I'm Charles, and I'm part of Team…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Charles
Charles:
…Aleríon Supermileage from Quebec, Canada.
[Text displays]
Aleríon Supermileage
Québec, Canada
[Visuals]
Cuts to Sam
Sam:
Hi, I'm Sam…
[Visuals]
Cuts to closer shot of Sam
Sam:
…from Sally Supermileage team from the USA.
[Text displays]
Sally Supermileage
USA
[Visuals]
Cuts to Alberto
Alberto:
I'm Alberto with…
[Visuals]
Cuts to closer shot to Alberto
Alberto:
…Esuderia EcoVolt from Mexico.
[Text displays]
Esuderia EcoVolt
Mexico
[Visuals]
Cuts to x2 separate shots of garage door opening
[Text displays]
Stories beyond the tracks
Americas
[Visuals]
Cuts to Alberto
Alberto:
I first took part in Shell Eco-marathon in 2020, and now I work at Ford.
[Text displays – name strap]
Alberto Barrita
Escuderia EcoVolt Alumni
[Visuals]
Cut to wider shot of Alberto
Alberto:
I studied electrical engineering at Tec de Monterrey, Mexico City campus…
[Text displays]
Electrical engineering
[Visuals]
Cuts to closer shot of Alberto
Alberto:
…that's where I discovered…
[Visuals]
Cuts to still of masked team members standing around vehicle
Alberto voiceover:
…Shell Eco-marathon team Eco-Volt. It really helped me out…
[Visuals]
Cuts to another shot of masked team members
Alberto voiceover:
…to,discover one of my passions in mechanical engineering…
[Text displays]
Discover one of my passions in mechanical engineering
[Visuals]
Cuts to Alberto
Alberto:
…because the main goal when I joined the team…
[Visuals]
Cuts to still of Alberto working on components
[Text displays]
2022
Alberto voiceover:
…for me was to learn everything. I…
[Visuals]
Cuts to image of Alberto and other team members
Alberto voiceover:
…wanted to have a wider perspective of the whole engineering process…
[Text displays]
Wider perspective
Whole engineering process
[Visuals]
Cuts to Alberto
Alberto:
…in making a car…
[Visuals]
Cuts to wider shot of Alberto
Alberto:
…so that I can fuse those knowledges.
[Text display]
Fuse
knowledge
[Visuals]
Cuts to Alberto and other team members laughing
Alberto voiceover:
Taking part in Shell Eco-marathon made a…
[Visuals]
Cuts to a separate shot of Alberto and other team members working on vehicle before transitioning to a race track with 3x layered clips of team members and components
[Text displays]
Additional skills developed
Alberto voiceover:
…difference because aside from all the engineering skills all the other additional skills I had developed, from talking to enterprises…
[Visuals]
Cuts to team members working on vehicle before transitioning to exterior garage shot with 2x layered clips of Alberto and components
[Text displays]
I am a problem solver
Alberto voiceover:
…looking for sponsorships, having a very limited budget. And now that I am a problem solver.
[Visuals]
Cuts to Alberto
Alberto:
That was what got me actually…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Alberto standing next to Ford ‘Research and Engineering Center’ sign
Alberto voiceover:
…the job at Ford all those skills that I developed aside from my school.
[Visuals]
Transition to yellow background
[Text displays]
#ShellEcoMarathon
[Visuals]
Cuts to Sam
Sam:
I was 16 when I decided to join Sally Supermileage at Granite Falls High School…
[Text displays – name strap]
Sam Brown
Sally Supermileage Alumni
[Visuals]
Cuts to closer shot of Sam
Sam:
…and I’m not setting up my own university team.
[Visuals]
Cuts to Sam standing next to vehicle in garage
[Text displays]
Mechanical engineering
Sam voiceover:
I always wanted to study mechanical engineering since I…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Sam and other team members around and inside vehicles
Sam voiceover:
…was a small child, and participating in…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Sam
Sam:
Shell Eco-marathon has given me an edge in…
[Text displays]
Shell Eco-marathon has given me an edge
[Visuals]
Cuts to wider shot of Sam
Sam:
…applying and participating in mechanical engineering…
[Visuals]
Cuts to closer shot of Sam
Sam:
…in higher education…
[Text displays]
Higher education
[Visuals]
Cuts to shot of Sam and others outside around vehicles
Sam voiceover:
…because it has displayed my ability to work on a team and work on long…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Sam
Sam:
…term projects that are much more complicated and take on…
[Visuals]
Cuts to wider shot of Sam
Sam:
…a lot of different subsystems and put them all together.
[Visuals]
Cuts to 2x shots of team working on blue vehicle
Sam voiceover:
It was important to me to come back and help my old high school team, because these are the…
[Visuals]
Cuts to three team members talking in garage before transitioning to exterior shot with 3x layered shots of team members and components
[Text displays]
Future engineers
Sam voiceover:
…future engineers, and I wanted to help boost their experience as well. I was…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Sam
Sam:
…inspired to set up a Shell Eco-marathon team…
[Text displays]
Inspired to set up a Shell Eco-marathon team
[Visuals]
Cuts to closer shot of Sam
Sam:
…at my university because the experience that I had in high…
[Visuals]
Cuts to shot of team member in blue vehicle
[Text displays]
Fun
Impactful
Sam voiceover:
…school was very fun and impactful.
[Visuals]
Cuts to Sam
Sam:
I really wanted to…
[Visuals]
Cuts to wider shot of Sam
Sam:
…set up a practical project…
[Visuals]
Transitions to shot of track with 3x layered shots of vehicles and team members
Sam voiceover:
…for other people to experience, especially…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Sam
Sam:
…since they could see and drive it.
[Visuals]
Cuts to shot of blue vehicle on track with person waving a green flag
Sam voiceover:
My hopes and dreams for my college…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Sam
Sam:
…Shell Eco-marathon team…
[Visuals]
Cuts to closer shot of Sam
Sam:
…the Electro Huskies…
[Visuals]
Cuts to blue vehicle on track
Sam voiceover:
…is for them to be able to experience both the highs and the lows…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Sam
Sam:
…of competing in Shell Eco-marathon.
[Visuals]
Transitions to yellow background
[Text displays]
#ShellEcoMarathon
[Visuals]
Cuts to Charles
Charles:
I first took part in Shell Eco-marathon 2017
[Text displays –name strap]
Charles Lagacé-Leblanc
Alérion Supermileage Alumni
[Visuals]
Cuts to closer shot of Charles
Charles:
I am now R&D Manager at Davies Shipyard Canada.
[Visuals]
Cuts to still of Charles with white vehicle
[Text displays]
2018
Charles voiceover:
At the beginning of my degree my grades weren’t really…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Charles and another team member working on components
[Text displays]
2023
[Visuals]
…before cutting to a shot of Charles and team members standing around vehicle
Charles voiceover:
…good, but, all the experience I gained working on, Alerion Supermileage…
[Text displays]
2022
Experience gained
[Visuals]
Cuts to Charles
Charles:
…this is what really…
[Viusals]
Transitions to race track shot with 2x layered images of Charles (one with another man and trophy)
[Text displays]
2021
2022
Built me as an engineer
Charles voiceover:
…built me as an engineer. My professor looked my…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Charles
Charles:
…experience with the Alerion Supermileage team…
[Visuals]
Cuts to shot of Charles and other team members around white vehicle holding a trophy and Canadian flag
Charles voiceover:
…and decided that I was the person to…
[Visuals]
Cuts to shot of Charles with headphones and mic set
[Text displays]
2024
Charles voiceover:
…choose to work on that master project. I think this is…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Charles
Charles:
…what gave me the opportunity to…
[Text displays]
Gave me the opportunity
[Visuals]
Transitions to trqck shot with 3x shots of Charles and other people
[Text displays]
2022
Charles voiceover:
…move on to higher education.
[Visuals]
Cuts to Charles
Charles:
My masters project was to convert a diesel maritime engine…
[Visuals]
Cuts to closer shot of Charles
Charles:
…to ammonia and hydrogen in order to cut emissions.
[Text displays]
Cut emissions
[Visuals]
Cuts to wider shot of Charles
Charles:
I've just started now my new position…
[Visuals]
Cuts to shot of Charles and others in work uniform
[Text displays]
2022
Charles voiceover:
…at Chantier Davie, Davies shipyard as R&D manager. I will be working on…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Charles
Charles:
…reducing greenhouse gases…
[Visuals]
Cuts to closer shot of Charles
Charles:
…from maritime industry and shipbuilding.
[Visuals]
Cuts to shot of Charles outside, smiling
Charles voiceover:
This is what motivates me…
[Text displays]
As an engineer this is what I can contribute to society
[Visuals]
Cuts to Charles
Charles:
…and I think as an engineer this is what I can contribute to society.
[Visuals]
Cuts to Charles and others working on vehicle
Charles voiceover:
Right after I finished my degree, I wanted to…
[Visuals]
Transitions to exterior garage shot with 3x layered shots of Charles and team members working together
[Text displays]
Faculty advisor
Charles voiceover:
…stay involved with the team as the faculty advisor of the team.
[Visuals]
Transitions to another exterior garage shot with 3x shots of team members laughing and working on components
Charles voiceover:
I really love working with the students.
[Visuals]
Transitions to yellow background
[Text displays]
#ShellEcoMarathon
Alberto voiceover:
The advice I…
[Visuals]
Transitions to Alberto
Alberto:
…would give to…
[Visuals]
Cuts to closer shot of Alberto
Alberto:
…anybody that wants to start…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Alberto and another team member rolling vehicle along track
Alberto voiceover:
…a STEM degree would be that you should…
[Visuals]
Transitions to exterior garage shot with 3x shots of people cheering and vehicles running along track
[Text displays]
Commitment
Passion
Alberto voiceover:
…absolutely try it, but it requires commitment and passion.
[Visuals]
Cuts to Alberto
Alberto:
It can be really challenging…
[Text displays]
Challenging
[Visuals]
Cuts to team members walking outside with vehicle
Alberto voiceover:
…but it's worth it in the end. So you should never give up.
[Text displays]
Never give up
[Visuals]
Cuts to Alberto
Alberto:
It's really a great experience.
[Visuals]
Cuts to Sam
Sam:
I would advise anybody who is…
[Visuals]
Cuts to closer shot of Sam
Sam:
…hoping to study STEM subjects…
[Visuals]
Transitions to shot of track with 3x layered shots of people working on blue vehicle
[Text displays]
Find motivation
Sam voiceover:
…to really find a motivation…
[Visuals]
Cuts to shot of blue vehicle driving along track
[Text displays]
Passionate
Sam voiceover:
…a project, a subject, something that you can feel really passionate about…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Sam
Sam:
…because once you have that…
[Visuals]
Cuts to closer shot of Sam
Sam:
…it really…
[Visuals]
Cuts to wider shot of Sam
[Text displays]
Drives you to learn more
Sam:
…drives you to learn more.
[Visuals]
Cuts to Charles
Charles:
The advice I would give to anyone…
[Visuals]
Cuts to team members working outside on white vehicle
Charles voiceover:
…who want to get involved in STEM job is to…
[Visuals]
Cuts to Charles
Charles:
…go hard, be confident…
[Text displays]
Be confident
[Visuals]
Cuts to wider shot of Charles
Charles:
…never give up and try to work with other people.
[Text displays]
Work with other people
[Visuals]
Transitions to shot of racetrack stands with 3x layered shots of people working and the white vehicle
[Text displays]
Elevate
Charles voiceover:
I think this is where we can elevate our level…
[Visuals]
Cuts to shot of white vehicle driving along track\
[Text displays]
Engineering performance
#ShellEcoMarathon
Charles voiceover:
…of engineering and overall performance.
[Shell endboard with logo]
Subscribe for more
#ShellEcoMarathon
© SHELL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED 2024
Pursuing a new engineering field
Alberto, who was part of Team Eco-Volt from Mexico, was initially studying Electrical Engineering. Through joining his university’s Shell Eco-marathon team, he was able to discover and learn about an entirely different field: Mechanical Engineering.
By gaining knowledge in both fields, as well as honing his communications and project management, Alberto was able to jumpstart his career after graduating from university.
Inspiring others to compete
For Sam, a member of Sally Supermileage from the United States, joining the global engineering competition while still in high school gave her an edge in learning and applying her engineering skills.
Inspired by her experience in Shell Eco-marathon events, she now wants to get more people to participate by setting up her own team in university.
From struggling in school to thriving in his career
Charles, who came from team Alerion Supermileage in Canada, admittedly struggled with his grades early into pursuing his degree. However, through his participation in Shell Eco-marathon, he gained both the skills and confidence needed to thrive. This allowed him to pursue a Master’s Degree, and eventually landed him a Research and Development job in the shipping industry.
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About the Documentary Series
Over half of the global population is under 30 years old1. In the next three to six decades, they face not only the challenges of today but also of the future – their future, and those of the succeeding generations. Unfortunately, they are often underrepresented in conversations around sustainability, cleaner energy, and energy-efficiency. As these challenges continue to evolve, one truth is clear: the next generation of energy leaders need a platform for their ideas to be seen, heard, and understood.
Shell Eco-marathon aims to shine a light on and empower these young STEM students by providing them a global platform to develop innovative solutions to both energy- and mobility-related challenges, and truly gives them a voice when it comes to sustainability.This generation is more involved and more invested in making a real change because they are the ones who will inherit the earth and its (fragile and remaining) resources.
They are passionate about making a real change.
They are the Changemakers of Tomorrow.
These are their stories…
Follow #ShellEcoMarathon for more inspiring stories.
1 O’Neill, A. (2022, Mar 23). “Global population by age in 2020.” Statista. Retrieved on Aug 11, 2022.