Delaware students experience renewable energy technology firsthand in 2018 Junior Solar Sprint model car competition sponsored by DNREC

HARRINGTON – DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate teamed up with the Delaware Technology Student Association Thursday, April 26 to host 19 teams of middle school students from across the state for the 2018 Junior Solar Sprint solar-powered model car competition, with racers competing for top speed in time trials, as well as for awards in engineering design and creative design.

Students and educators representing 12 schools gathered in Harrington for the event, a Delaware tradition for more than 20 years in which students work with classmates and teacher advisors to build model cars powered by solar photovoltaic cells, better known as solar panels. When the Junior Solar Sprint competition came to a close, Pierre S. duPont Middle School of Wilmington was declared the all-around winner for combined speed, design, and presentation. Henry B. duPont Middle School of Hockessin came second, with Fred Fifer III Middle School of Camden third. (See additional Junior Solar Sprint results below.)

“Junior Solar Sprint challenges students to think about ways that we can meet our energy needs cleanly and securely,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “The best learning happens while students are having fun. They gain fond memories looking back – and career ideas looking forward.”

The Junior Solar Sprint competition is part of a national program from the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program. It encourages students to engage in problem-solving, teamwork, and creative scientific thinking to solve environmental challenges. This year’s competition took place as one event in the Delaware Technology Student Association 2018 State Conference, which drew several hundred students to compete in various science and technology challenges.

Participating schools in this year’s Junior Solar Sprint were:

  • H.B. duPont Middle School, Hockessin
  • P.S. duPont Middle School, Wilmington
  • Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Wilmington
  • Holy Cross School, Dover
  • Fred Fifer III Middle School, Camden
  • Beacon Middle School, Lewes
  • Springer Middle School, Wilmington
  • Postlethwait Middle School, Camden
  • Central Middle School, Dover
  • Gauger-Cobbs Middle School, Newark
  • The Jefferson School, Georgetown
  • Alfred G. Waters Middle School, Middletown

Competition Results
All-around winners for combined speed, design, and presentation:

  • 1st place: Team #18, P.S. duPont Middle School
  • 2nd place: Team #15, H.B. duPont Middle School
  • 3rd place: Team # 9, Fred Fifer III Middle School

Top five teams in time-trial races:

  • 1st place: Team #18, P.S. duPont Middle School
  • 2nd place: Team #15, H.B. duPont Middle School
  • 3rd place: Team #4, Beacon Middle School
  • 4th place: Team #17, Holy Cross School
  • 5th place: Team #23, Springer Middle School

Top five teams in creative design:

  • 1st place: Team #6, Cab Calloway School of the Arts
  • 2nd place: Team #16, Holy Cross School
  • 3rd place: Team #23, Springer Middle School
  • 4th place: Team #7, Central Middle School
  • 5th place: Team #4, Beacon Middle School

DNREC would like to thank the 2018 Junior Solar Sprint sponsors: Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility, Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation, Delaware Electric Cooperative, Chesapeake Utilities, and CMI Solar.

For more information on renewable energy programs administered by DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate, visit dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/energy-climate/renewable/.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 95

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