Donated SUV gives Baldwin Prep students opportunity to learn latest auto technology

LOXLEY, Ala. (WKRG) – Getting a brand new car isn’t exactly how most students expect to kick off the Monday morning after Thanksgiving break.

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Terry Thompson Chevrolet donated a 2024 Trailblazer SUV to Baldwin Preparatory Academy that will help students in the program understand the latest auto technology.

“Not only they’re getting education in the classroom, but to come here and be able to look at this vehicle we donated to break it down, to rebuild engines, transmissions, whatever you want to do,” Terry Thompson said.

New cars come with new technology, a learning opportunity that the students in the program are thrilled to explore.

“I love it because any new car that comes to the shop is a new experience for me to work with and new things for me to learn on it,” Taylor Goodwin, a junior in the program said. “Especially it being a newer model, I get to learn more of the new technology that comes into the field and absolutely excited to work with it.”

The goal is for students at Baldwin Prep to learn hands on skills that help prepare them not only for college, but also for the workforce.

“In our world, technicians are hard to find, hire and train,” Thompson said.

And at Baldwin Prep, most of the training that students need is built into their coursework.

“We basically teach these kids bumper to bumper automotive, pretty much everything from basic automotive fundamentals to engines and engine performance,” Josh Funk, one of the automotive instructors said. “This car has one thing that we haven’t been able to touch on and it’s ADAS, and ADAS is basically like your lane change assist, your assisted braking, all that kind of stuff. That’s what those cameras do and all those sensors do and this car will have it. So we’ll be able to actually teach that kind of stuff.”

The program gives students a head start in a career in the auto industry while prioritizing learning the latest technology.

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“It’s kind of like finding your dream and just shooting for the stars with it,” Goodwin said. “You’re setting yourself up for success and it’s giving you the opportunity to do what you want to do in life.”

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