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Solar Model Car Challenge

Registrations now open

Registrations are now open for the 2010 Model Solar Car Challenge. To register, download a registration form (WORD 409kb), complete your details and send it in by Friday 17 September 2010. Two cars racing to the finish line

About the challenge

Western Power is proud to host the Model Solar Car Challenge for the 19th year in 2010.

Our focus for this challenge is to connect with secondary school students, helping them to become energy ambassadors amongst their family and community by educating them on better ways to create, use and conserve energy.

Participation in this challenge provides students with an exciting and hands-on experience more valuable than simply winning or losing a contest. It’s proven to be an extremely powerful activity, providing students with practical applications for many of their ideas and concepts, developing their science and engineering skills.

The responsibility of working in teams combined with the planning and approach of the overall project can lead to the development of skills and personal qualities in students beyond what is possible in the classroom.

The Solar Model Car Challenge allows students to explore how solar energy works and how it benefits the environment. Through this learning, they can begin to understand the impact of their daily energy consumption and consider ways to reduce it.

This challenge is a valuable tool for teachers to bring the curriculum to life.

Where and when

WA State Solar Model Car Challenge

Forrest Place, City of Perth
Monday 18 October heats and time trials
Tuesday 19 October  elimination heats and finals

Australian-International Solar Model Challenge

The Esplanade, Fremantle
Saturday 27 November Solar Model Car and Boat 
Sunday 28 November  Solar Model Car and Boat

2009 challenge quotes

Open quoteI really enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm from the kids. I didn’t actually have any of these kids in my classes and lots of them were a problem for other staff. But the solar car challenge enthused them and brought out their best.Close quote

 Teacher, 2009 Challenge

Open quoteIt was great to see how the students interacted with each other and a more positive approach to their learning developed while they participated on the project. Close quote

 Teacher, 2009 Challenge

Open quoteIt was very rewarding to see the students take control of the whole process from design to racing. VERY stressful for some of them (a few tears when they didn’t make the final 16) but a fantastic learning experience” Close quote

Teacher, 2009 Challenge 

Two cars sitting on the starting line.Links

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