edited by Tomorrow’s Technician staff Each month, Tomorrow’s Technician takes a look at some of the automotive-related student competitions taking place in this country, as well as the world. Throughout the year in “Finish Line,” we will highlight not only the programs and information on how schools can enter, but we’ll also profile some of the top competitors in those programs. Because there are good students and instructors in these events, we feel it’s time to give these competitors the recognition they deserve.
SOLAR CHALLENGE STUDENTS HAVE THEIR DAY IN THE SUN
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he Byron Nelson Solar Car, designed by students from Byron Nelson High School, Trophy Club, TX, took first place in the annual Solar Car Challenge earlier this summer. The vehicle, driven a total of 660.2 miles with an average speed 21.63 mph, is powered only by solar energy. The Byron Nelson Solar Car’s total miles was almost 50 miles farther than the second best car operated by the students of Greenville High School, Greenville, TX, and hundreds of miles better than half the field of cars. The victory is the first ever for Byron Nelson. The Solar Car Challenge is an education program designed to help motivate students in science, engineering, and alternative energy. The program was developed to teach high school students how to plan, design, engineer, build, race, and evaluate roadworthy solar cars. According to event organizers, the program enables students to demonstrate that green technology can create a better world. For this summer’s event, high school teams began preparation for the year-long project during education workshops scheduled in September 2012. Additional workshops, on-site visits, and mentor opportunities helped propel the projects to a successful completion.
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September 2013 | TomorrowsTechnician.com
After qualifying this summer in mid July, the teams got the opportunity to drive their solar cars from the Texas Motor Speedway beginning July 23rd, to Los Angeles’ Exposition Park, arriving on July 30th. The Solar Car Challenge began in 1993 as a high school extra curricular program named the "Winston Solar Challenge." The program's popularity has since grown rapidly and become its own non-profit entity. More than 65 schools in 20 states now take part in the Solar Car Challenge. Top Science & Technology Magazine recently named the Solar Car Challenge as one of the top science and engineering programs in the country. The Challenge has 107 high school solar car projects in various stages of development in anticipation of an upcoming solar racing event. Teams are located in 30 states and Puerto Rico. See page 10 for the Top 10 finishers in this year’s Classic Division. For more information and results from other divisions, visit: www.solarcarchallenge.org.