With gas prices on the rise, Terry Rueger's upcoming summer school courses in alternative energies and the future of autonomous cars couldn't come at a better time.

Rueger is an automotive technology teacher at Centennial secondary in Coquitlam with decades of industrial experience who wants to bring car mechanics and science together in two summer school courses for Grade 9 and 10 students.

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And you don't have to have technical experience to sign up, just an interest in the subject and a health dose of curiosity.

"We are hoping to attract the kids who are self-motivated and who enjoy technology and also want to be hands-on," Rueger told The Tri-City News.

In Alternative Energies, students will learn about solar power, hydrogen fuel cells, biomass and biofuels as well as water- and wind-powered turbines. This course will include hands-on activities and projects.

The second course is How Cars Work and the Future of Autonomous Cars, and will teach students about traditional cars and also about hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and autonomous (self-driving cars). Students will work with tools to learn basic car maintenance. Instead of merely tinkering with gas-powered cars, students will learn about how alternative fuels can be used to power a vehicle.

The shop at Centennial has a dune buggy powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, a propane-powered race car and truck that runs on electricity. Rueger also hopes to show how frying oil from the school's cafeteria can be used to power an engine.

With many kits and experiments, students will also be able to learn about a variety of power sources.

"I have wanted to teach a program on the alternative energies and fuels for a long time," Rueger said. "I want to show kids that these types of engines aren't the future, they are here now."

The courses will be offered July 10 to 27 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. or from noon to 3 p.m. at Centennial secondary. Registration for these courses begins Tuesday, May 1.

Summer Learning courses are tuition-free for students who meet B.C. residency requirements. For more information and to register, visit www.summerlearningcoquitlam.ca.