‘MTSU On the Record’ takes rides on student-made experimental vehicles [+VIDEO]

Solar boats and moon buggies were among the topics on a recent edition of the “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Dr. Saeed Foroudastan

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Dr. Saeed Foroudastan, associate dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, first aired Oct. 6 on WMOT-FM (89.5 and www.wmot.org ). You can listen to their conversation here.

Foroudastan, who also is a professor in the Department of Engineering Technology, is in charge of the Experimental Vehicles Program.

Its students are encouraged to build vehicles such as a solar-powered boat, an open-wheeled racer in the style of a Formula One car and a buggy that can withstand the simulated terrain of the moon’s surface. These vehicles consistently win design and performance awards at competitions all across the country.

“When they beat a top-notch team from a big engineering school, they feel good about the program at MTSU, what they have done and, overall, it is like a couple of years of work experience,” Foroudastan said.

To listen to previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, visit the searchable “Audio Clips” archives at www.mtsunews.com.

For more information about “MTSU On the Record,” contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.

A video clip of the interview may be seen below.

Dr. Saeed Foroudastan, center, who serves as director of the Experimental Vehicles Program, watches MTSU senior Zack Hill, left, and sophomore Jasmine Johnson perform a timed practice to quickly unfold and get seated in the MTSU moon buggy before the April 12, 2014, NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge. (MTSU file photo by News and Media Relations)

Dr. Saeed Foroudastan, center, and MTSU freshman Alec Urban, far right, watch MTSU senior Zack Hill, left, and sophomore Jasmine Johnson perform a timed practice to quickly unfold and get seated in the MTSU moon buggy before leaving for the April 12, 2014, NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge. The MTSU moon buggy team won the 2014 Neil Armstrong Best Design Award at the Huntsville, Alabama, event. (MTSU file photo by News and Media Relations)