K.C. To D.C., Driven By Social Media

By Steve Kraske,

Published May 28, 2013 at 11:23 AM CDT

The goal: Have at-risk students take an old rundown car, restore it and convert it to run on electric power then drive it from K.C. to D.C. If that's not enough, have it powered solely by social media interaction.

MindDrive students and mentors disassemble the Karmann Ghia.

Welcome to MindDrive the brainchild of CEO Steve Rees. Today Rees tells Steve Kraske what inspired him to start the program. They are joined by Brandon Nott, technical director of the digital interactive agency VML, and Andrew Treas, one of the students participating in the MindDrive program. Together they explain how a 1967 Karmann Ghia was transformed into a 2013 electric vehicle powered by social media to drive change in education.

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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