Students demonstrate the sun’s power at the Solar Sprint Exhibition

“One, two, three, go!” was the cue to remove the covers shading small, solar-powered cars built by elementary and middle school students participating in the Solar Sprint Exhibition, on May 22 at Kapolei High School.

Altogether, over 200 students are demonstrating that sunlight hitting a small photovoltaic panel can produce enough energy to power a small electric motor, which will turn the wheels of a model car fast enough to move it down a 60-foot track within 20 seconds.

“The car’s system is made up of a bunch of parts that work together, and the students really have to understand the system,” explained John Lee, industrial arts teacher at Wheeler Middle School.

And then comes the heavy work: Add 12 ounces of lead weights to the light-weight frames of the cars and try to run the same course in 35 seconds. “When the extra weight is added to the car, the students realize that under load it takes a lot of energy,” continued Lee.
 
Participating in this year’s Solar Sprint are students from Kahuku Elementary, Kahuku High and Intermediate, Laie Elementary, Niu Valley Elementary (participating at a separate event on May 28), Noelani Elementary, Waialua High and Intermediate, Waipahu Intermediate, and Wheeler Middle schools.

The Solar Sprint, offered by the Hawaii State Department of Education and sponsored by Hawaiian Electric Company, provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate how well they have met content standards in science, career, and life skills through the study of alternative energy sources, such as solar.

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