Delaware students invited to sign up for May 14 Junior Solar Sprint

Middle school students from across Delaware are invited to compete in the 20th annual Delaware Junior Solar Sprint Competition Wednesday, May 14, at Dover International Speedway. Sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Energy & Climate, the competition is open to all seventh- and eighth-graders attending public or private schools in Delaware.

Participants form teams of four to five students per car, with each team required to design, build and race a model car no larger than 30-by-60-by-30 centimeters. The cars must be powered by sunlight using a solar photovoltaic cell that converts the sun’s energy into electricity.

Students must consider such critical factors as aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance, weight, and drive train when designing their cars for speed and reliability. The race is a double-elimination competition with awards going to the five fastest cars. Awards also will be given for most innovative design.

JSS is a national program that was developed to provide a hands-on opportunity for students to apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts; creativity; and problem-solving skills as they design, construct, and race solar-powered cars.

“Students have an exciting opportunity to apply the scientific concepts they are learning in class to a real-world challenge with Junior Solar Sprint,” said Lynda Haitz, national program manager for JSS at the Technology Student Association. “Kids develop teamwork and problem-solving abilities, investigate environmental issues, gain hands-on engineering skills, and use principles of science and math to get the fastest, most interesting, and best-crafted vehicle possible.”

For more information about the Delaware Junior Solar Sprint Competition, or to register for the event, contact Crystal Nagyiski at crystal.nagyiski@state.de.us. More information also is available at www.energy.dnrec.delaware.gov.