March 21, 2006 — Students from 24 schools are set to participate in the 11th annual Junior Solar Sprint Competition to be held March 30 at Sunny Isles on St. Croix.
Through the cooperation of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources' Energy Office and local schools, seventh- and eighth-grade students are provided with a kit that includes a motor and solar panel. The rest of the car is made from materials of the students' choosing. Each participating school has three teams with two students. Fourteen schools from St. Croix are participating, eight from St. Thomas and two from St. John.
The students will register their solar cars starting at 9 a.m. in the Sunny Isles parking lot near Wendy's restaurant, and the race should start around 10 a.m. An award ceremony will immediately follow the competition. Students with the five fastest cars and students with the five best-designed cars will be recognized. Students interested in participating should contact their teachers. The Energy Office sponsors this event to encourage youngsters' interest in alternative fuels and solar energy during V.I. Energy Education Week.
Teachers encourage students to use math and science principles, along with creativity, in this hands-on educational experience. For more information contact Kim Matthias, Junior Solar Sprint Coordinator at 773-1082, ext. 2255.
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