Teams From Stargate, Manning Options Schools Victorious in NREL’s 27th Solar and Lithium-Ion Car Races
WASHINGTON (May 22, 2017) – (RealEstateRama) — Fifty-three teams from 18 Colorado middle schools gathered at the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden today for the 27th Annual Junior Solar Sprint and Lithium-Ion Battery Car Competitions. The day’s event drew about 170 students racing the solar- and lithium-ion battery-powered vehicles they designed and built.
Two teams from Stargate School in Thornton dominated the time trials for battery-powered model cars, and a pair of teams from Manning Options School in Golden showed themselves to be among the fastest for solar-powered vehicles.
Each year, NREL sponsors the races for middle-school students to create experiences demonstrating how science, engineering, and design can be rewarding and to encourage them toward careers in STEM – science, technology, engineering, and math. The batteries used in the competition are supplied by the Energy Department (DOE), and teams purchase authorized solar panels and then design and build the rest of their cars themselves. The competition showcases solar and lithium-ion battery power technologies, both important scientific research focuses for NREL and DOE.
Thirty-one teams designed and raced solar-powered cars, while another 22 relied on vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Trophies for the fastest solar-powered model cars were given to students from Stargate, Stargate Purple Team, first place; from Ken Caryl Middle School, KCMS #1, second place; and from Stargate, Stargate Silver Team, third place.
Three solar design trophies based on technology, craftsmanship and innovation were given to teams from Hulstrom K-8, Rainbow Unicorns, first place; from Hulstrom K-8, Solarollers, second place; and from Resurrection Christian Middle School, Cougars 1, third place.
Trophies for the fastest lithium-ion-powered model cars were given to students from Manning Options, Manning Battery #1, first place; Parker Performing Arts, PPA Battery #1, second place; and from Manning Options, Manning Battery #2, third place.
Three lithium-ion design trophies based on technology, craftsmanship and innovation were given to teams from Parker Performing Arts, PPA Battery #1, first place; from Hulstrom K-8, Iron Tires, second place; and from Hulstrom K-8, Lithium Lightning, third place.
The Electrifiers from Mead Middle School was awarded the Spirit Award for exhibiting good sportsmanship, including fairness and respectful behavior. The team raced a battery-powered car.
The annual competition is also sponsored by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy.
For more information on today’s races visit the NREL Education website.
Editors: High-resolution photographs of the competition are available by contacting ?subject=Car%20Races">Wayne Hicks with NREL Public Affairs.
NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy’s primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for the Energy Department by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
Visit NREL online at www.nrel.gov
