Registration Now Open For 2024 Junior Solar Sprint

A competitor readies a racer for the 2023 Junior Solar Sprint competition. Registration for next year’s Sprint is now open with a deadline of Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 for entering a team in the competition set for April 18 on the campus of Delaware State University in Dover. /DNREC photo

 

Annual Competition Tests Students’ STEM Skills, Creativity

 

Registration is open for the 2024 Junior Solar Sprint, a statewide competition for students in grades five through eight to build and race solar-powered model cars in a challenge of creativity, engineering and speed.

The annual competition is co-sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC) Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy and the Delaware Technology Student Association (TSA).

The 2024 Junior Solar Sprint competition will take place April 18 on the campus of Delaware State University in Dover.

Middle schools across the state can register up to two teams of two to four students each. Registration is free, and the Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy provides participating schools with two starter kits, each including a solar panel, motor and wheels.

“The Junior Solar Sprint provides students with the opportunity to apply real-world problem-solving in a fun and educational atmosphere,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Every year we are amazed by the creativity of the participating teams that spend months designing and building their solar-powered vehicles.”

Interested educators should visit de.gov/solarsprint for additional information on the 2024 event, including the registration form and guidelines. The deadline to register Junior Solar Sprint teams is Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

Schools are not required to have a TSA chapter in order to participate. Additional questions can be directed via email to JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov or by phone at 302-735-3480.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov

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Champion Crowned in 2022 Delaware Junior Solar Sprint

Christian Wiggins of Fred Fifer Middle School of Camden gives a thumbs up for the 2022 Junior Solar Sprint. Wiggins and teammate Priya Patel took top honors in the virtual competition Wednesday, April 27.

 

Middle School Students Build, Race Solar Vehicles

The team of Christian Wiggins and Priya Patel from Fred Fifer Middle School of Camden earned the title of 2022 Delaware Junior Solar Sprint champion in a virtual competition held Wednesday.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control teams up with the Delaware Technology Student Association for the event each year. Middle school students work with classmates and teacher advisors over several months to build model cars powered by solar photovoltaic cells, better known as solar panels.

“Transitioning to cleaner energy sources is a key strategy is Delaware’s Climate Action Plan,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “This competition provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate how we can accomplish our goal of reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions, all while increasing their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Plus, it’s a lot of fun.”

For the second year, the competition was held virtually. As a result, in addition to designing their solar vehicles, students had to construct a track to competition specifications and record their best times in a video presentation that was also part of the judging.

“The Junior Solar Sprint really showcases the talents and ingenuity of each of the teams,” said DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy Director Dayna Cobb. “And even with the added requirements of the virtual format, the students once again performed well beyond expectations.”

The Junior Solar Sprint encourages students to engage in problem-solving, teamwork and creative scientific thinking to take on environmental challenges.

Students received points for project portfolios, video presentations of their work, overall design and fastest speed in a timed run. The team accumulating the most points wins and has an opportunity to represent Delaware against other students from around the country in the national TSA conference, which is being held in Dallas, Texas, in June.

Schools participating in this year’s event included Holy Cross School, Dover; Conrad Schools of Science, Wilmington; Gauger-Cobbs Middle School, Newark; Fred Fifer Middle School, Camden; Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Wilmington; and H.B. duPont Middle School, Hockessin.

Competition results:

The all-around winners for combined speed, design, video and portfolio presentations were:

  • 1st place: Christian Wiggins and Priya Patel from Fred Fifer Middle School
  • 2nd place: Vishal Karthikeyan, Chetan Kasukurthi, Vedic Mukherjee and Aashrith Banda from Cab Calloway School of the Arts
  • 3rd place: Joshua Ford, Robert Maegerle, Eleni Demetriou and Cooper Oldham from H.B. duPont Middle School

Top results from the timed run competition included:

  • 1st place: Christian Wiggins and Priya Patel from Fred Fifer Middle School
  • 2nd place: Vishal Karthikeyan, Chetan Kasukurthi, Vedic Mukherjee and Aashrith Banda from Cab Calloway School of the Arts
  • 3rd place: Victoria Pate, Brynn Reeves, Paityn O’Leary and Savannah Miller from Holy Cross School

Top results from the design and video competition included:

  • 1st place: Christian Wiggins and Priya Patel from Fred Fifer Middle School
  • 2nd place: Victoria Pate, Brynn Reeves, Paityn O’Leary and Savannah from Holy Cross School
  • 3rd place: Massimo Smith, Isabella DiMondi, Samantha Worden and Sophia Preskenis from Holy Cross School

Top results from the portfolio competition included:

  • 1st place: Christian Wiggins and Priya Patel from Fred Fifer Middle School
  • 2nd place: Vishal Karthikeyan, Chetan Kasukurthi, Vedic Mukherjee and Aashrith Banda from Cab Calloway School of the Arts
  • 3rd. place: Tushar Rameshbabu and Soumil Ghosh from Conrad Schools of Science

DNREC would also like to thank the 2022 Virtual Junior Solar Sprint sponsors: Chesapeake Utilities, Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility, Delaware Electric Co-Op and the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation.

Visit de.gov/solarsprint for more information on the Junior Solar Sprint, or to watch a recording of the virtual competition.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov

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First State honors STEM students

Students from across Delaware took home state honors last week from the 45th annual Delaware Technology Student Association (DETSA) conference at the state fairgrounds in Harrington. More than 1,000 students and advisers from 48 schools participated with 100 professionals representing business, industry and college judging 1,888 entries.

Featured contests included aerodynamics, architecture, CAD, coding, digital video production, dragster design, engineering design, fashion design technology, flight, inventions and innovations, magnetic levitation vehicles, on demand video, robotics, rocketry, solar cars, structural engineering, system control technology, video game design, and website design. Each contest required students to apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to conduct research, solve technical problems, and invent new solutions.

Delaware’s medalists have earned the opportunity to compete at the summer conference planned for the National Harbor, Maryland on June 28-July 2. More than 8,000 students from throughout the world will participate.

A list of the 2019 contest winners is available here.

Additional highlights include:

  • Del Lumbert Memorial Service Award presented to Jim Medved of Kent Pediatrics
  • Dr. John Brown Advisor of the Year Award presented to Kathy Sheehy of John Dickinson High School, Red Clay Consolidated School District, and Stephen Lee of P.S. duPont Middle School, Brandywine School District
  • DETSA Chapter Spirit Award presented to Roger Seedorf on behalf of MOT Charter School
  • Akshay Bachavala, Aniketh Avula, Divita Taduvayi, Priya Gupta, and Sophia Weldin were elected to serve as state officers in 2019-20

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a career and technical student organization dedicated to students who are interested in pursuing careers in technology, invention, innovation, engineering and design. TSA members have the opportunity to participate in competitive events, take part in community service, and apply leadership skills. TSA incorporates curricular and co-curricular experiences to practice professionalism, skill development, and teamwork. To learn more about DETSA, please visit: www.detsa.org or contact Mike Fitzgerald by phone at (302) 735.4015 or by email at Mike.Fitzgerald@doe.k12.de.us.


Delaware students experience renewable energy technology firsthand in 2019 Junior Solar Sprint model car competition

HARRINGTON – DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy teamed up with the Delaware Technology Student Association today to host 35 teams of middle school students from across the state for the 2019 Junior Solar Sprint solar-powered model car competition. Students and educators representing 21 schools gathered in Harrington for the event, a Delaware tradition for more than 25 years.

Each year, students work with classmates and teacher advisors over several months to build model cars powered by solar photovoltaic cells, better known as solar panels. Today, racers competed for top speed in time trials, as well as for awards in engineering design and creative design.

“Junior Solar Sprint challenges students to think about ways that we can meet our future energy needs cleanly and securely,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “The best learning happens while students are having fun. They gain fond memories looking back and get 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 take on environmental challenges. This year’s competition took place as one event during the Delaware Technology Student Association 2019 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: Alfred G. Waters Middle School, Middletown; Bayard Middle School, Wilmington; Beacon Middle School, Lewes; Brandywine Springs School, Wilmington; Cab Calloway, Wilmington; Central Middle School, Dover; Conrad School of Science, Wilmington; Fred Fifer Middle School, Dover; Gauger-Cobbs Middle School, Newark; H.B. Dupont Middle School, Hockessin; Holy Cross School, Dover; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Wilmington; Las Americas ASPIRA Academy, Newark; Milford Central Academy, Milford; Providence Creek Middle School, Clayton; P.S. DuPont Middle School, Wilmington; Postlethwait Middle School, Camden; Springer Middle School, Wilmington; The Jefferson School, Georgetown; The Tatnall School, Greenville; Wilmington Friends School, Wilmington

Competition Results:
All-around winners for combined speed, design, and presentation:
• 1st place: Beacon Middle School, Car #5
• 2nd place: Postlethwait Middle School, Car #32
• 3rd place: Milford Central Academy, Car #27

Top five teams in time-trial races:
• 1st place: Bayard Middle School, Car #3
• 2nd place: Springer Middle School, Car #33
• 3rd place: Alfred G. Waters Middle School, Car #1
• 4th place: Postlethwait Middle School, Car #32
• 5th place: P.S. DuPont Middle School, Car #31

Top five teams in creative design:
• 1st place (tie): Central Middle School, Car #11 & Holy Cross, Car #22
• 2nd place (tie): Conrad Schools of Science, Car #12 & The Jefferson School, Car #35
• 3rd place: Holy Cross, Car #21

DNREC would also like to thank our 2019 Junior Solar Sprint sponsors: Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility, Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation, Delaware Electric Cooperative, Chesapeake Utilities, Delaware State University, and CMI Solar.

For more information on renewable energy programs administered by the Delaware Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy, visit https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/energy-climate/renewable/.

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

Vol. 49, No. 82

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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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