Drew Students Showcase Engineering Talent at the EAV Strut Parade

Spectators and judges at the 2026 East Atlanta Village (EAV) Strut Parade were treated to a showcase of young innovation as 4th and 5th-grade advanced classes debuted custom Power-Wheels mini floats.

Working in four designated teams, the students applied the Drew Design Process to research, plan, and construct vehicles built to withstand real-world engineering parameters and compliances. To highlight the strength of the school’s design program, each team incorporated custom "WOW-factor" mechanical features.

Despite a strict three-week construction window, the students completed three floats and effectively navigated live technical challenges during the parade route.

The Parade Lineup Featured:

• The "Cheer" Float: Highlighting school spirit, featuring a giant, custom-built megaphone that spewed bubbles along the route.
• The "Champion Golf Eagles" Float: Outfitted with simulated turf, a mechanical arm-swinging golfer, and an active golf ball launcher.
• The Eagle X-Wing Fighter: A futuristic build that drew enthusiastic cheers from the crowd during acceleration demonstrations.

All vehicles were safely navigated by trained student drivers: 4th graders Harper Kemmerick, Zoe Johnson, Virginia Mitchell, Max Booker, and student "pilot" Chris Cook. The project highlighted not only technical engineering ability, but also real-world adaptability, teamwork, and leadership.

Click here for more Strut photos of our student participants including our dancers, cheerleaders, and band!