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Middle School Students Coast to Victory in Solar Car Competition
Two teams of Sanford middle schoolers claimed top prize in the time trials of the 22nd Annual Junior Solar Sprint, a solar car racing competition sponsored by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Technology Student Association.
At the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington on April 14, upwards of 100 students, teachers, and volunteers assembled for the event, which included the time trials as well as awards in engineering and creative design.
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With the help of advisor Bruce Pill, the seven Sanford students—Will Oberle, Charlie Sykora, Owen Andreasen, Andrew Bond, Aaron White, Jack Valentine, and Adam Kerzner—constructed model cars powered by solar photovoltaic cells, also known as solar panels. In claiming the top two prizes, the teams finished only 0.12 seconds apart.
“Solar photovoltaic technology allows us to harness the abundant energy from the sun for a clean, lasting power source,” said DNREC Deputy Secretary Kara Coats. “Students may use solar power every day without realizing it, in objects like watches and calculators. Junior Solar Sprint challenges students to think about ways solar energy can play a larger role in our lives by providing electricity for transportation and buildings. Watching young people working in teams and using technology is very rewarding but this isn’t just a fun competition, it is readying a new generation to take control of their future.”
The Solar Sprint is part of a national program on environmental awareness, sponsored by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program, that encourages students to engage in problem-solving, teamwork, and creative scientific thinking to solve environmental challenges.
Congratulations to the team!
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