At the School District of Lancaster, some of the most meaningful ideas come from students who look at a challenge and decide to build a solution. McCaskey senior Kai Wisnosky ’26 is one of those students.
As co-captain of the boys soccer team, Kai noticed something many teams experience throughout the year. Not every sport or club has a way to run concessions, which makes it harder to raise funds. Instead of accepting that gap, he imagined a mobile, sustainable, student-designed answer. After long summer hours, sketches, trial runs, and support from community partners, the solar concession bike was born.
His idea was simple at first. What if concessions could move? But the longer he considered the idea, the more it grew. Mobility was only the start. What if it could also be sustainable? What if it showcased renewable energy in action for younger students? What if it could be a learning tool as much as a fundraiser?
The build centered around four main components:
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The cargo bike
Donated by Park and Park, the bike serves as the foundation. It needed to be sturdy enough to carry the box, the cooling system, and the solar equipment while still allowing students to maneuver it safely across campus. -
The custom-built concession box
Designed with help from Faith Dowling, the box had to be both functional and durable. It houses the power station, storage space, and the electric cooler that keeps items cold during long events. -
The power station
Inside the station sits the battery, wiring, and charge controllers that regulate energy flow. It ensures the cooler receives steady power while also protecting the equipment. -
The rooftop solar panel and LED frame
Iron and Stone Fabrication donated materials and manufacturing support, helping Kai build the outer frame and LED lighting system. The panel feeds energy directly into the battery, allowing the bike to operate without constant manual charging.
Kai brought the idea to the Lancaster Penn Square Rotary, who immediately recognized the potential of a student-led sustainability project and stepped in to sponsor it. With Park and Park providing the cargo bike, Faith Dowling supporting the build of the box, and Iron and Stone Fabrication assisting with materials and fabrication, the project grew into a fully mobile concession stand powered by clean energy and shaped by student purpose.
By the end of the summer, the vision had transformed into a working concession vehicle that requires no fuel, generates its own power, and brings fundraising within reach for any team or club that needs it.
Already, the bike has raised more than 500 dollars for teams and clubs. Ice cream quickly became the crowd favorite. Students smile when they see the bike roll up, and more clubs are lining up to reserve it.
Coaches and advisors have begun incorporating the concession bike into their planning. Clubs that often struggle to fundraise now have a new option. Younger students notice the solar panel and the lights and ask questions, turning the bike into a mobile STEM demonstration.
Kai’s interest goes far beyond this single project. He is deeply interested in energy technology, robotics, mechanical design, and problem-solving. The concession bike gave him a way to explore those passions while creating something practical that benefits the entire school community.
He plans to pursue mechanical engineering in college, with hopes of continuing research and exploring hands-on projects that strengthen local communities. This project gave him real experience in planning, engineering, collaboration, and persistence.
And perhaps most importantly, it showed other students what is possible when someone sees a gap and decides to build a solution.
At SDoL, we believe students learn best when they are encouraged to take ideas seriously, explore possibilities, and use their creativity to improve the world around them. Kai’s solar concession bike is a clear example of that mindset.
It represents collaboration, innovation, care for the environment, pride in McCaskey, and a desire to create opportunities for others.
We are proud of Kai for his dedication, his imagination, and the generosity behind his vision. His project will continue to support our athletes and student organizations long after he graduates, and it will stand as a reminder of what students can achieve when they are given room to dream big and the support to bring those dreams to life.