NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

May 12, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 161

For additional information, contact Suzanne E. Sebastian, Delaware Energy Office, 302-735-3480, or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Delaware middle schoolers compete in Junior Solar Sprint
Students designed, built and raced model cars powered by solar energy

More than 90 middle and junior high school students from ten schools participated in Delaware’s 16th Annual Junior Solar Sprint Competition on Wed., May 12 at St. Thomas More School near Dover. DNREC’s Delaware Energy Office organized the event to educate students about renewable energy and the environment through a creative and exciting competition.

Students designed and built model cars powered by solar photovoltaic cells and competed for trophies and the honor of having the fastest and best designed cars in the state.

The schools represented included: Beacon Middle School, Lewes; Caravel Academy, Bear; Corpus Christi School, Wilmington; Holy Cross School, Dover; Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Wilmington; Milford Middle School; Sanford School, Hockessin; Skyline Middle School, Wilmington; Springer Middle School, Wilmington; and St. Catherine of Siena School, Wilmington.

 “Photovoltaic technology makes use of the abundant energy from the sun,” said Suzanne Sebastian, event coordinator with DNREC’s Delaware Energy Office. “We use photovoltaic technology as solar cells to power our watches and calculators, but solar power can do much more – by providing electricity for transportation and to heat and cool our homes and businesses. A solar electric panel provides a reliable, abundant and environmentally-smart source of energy.”

Solar technologies diversify the energy supply, reduce the country's dependence on imported fuels, improve air quality, and offset greenhouse gas emissions. A growing solar industry also stimulates our economy by creating jobs in solar products manufacturing and installation.

Racers competed in time trials and test runs prior to the start of the competition, and pit crews came equipped with spare parts for possible repairs.

The winning schools were:

Race Results: Fastest car

1st place:  Beacon Middle School, Lewes - Car #1
2nd place:  Sanford School, Hockessin - Car #14
3rd place:  Springer Middle School, Wilmington - Car #18
4th place:  Springer Middle School, Wilmington - Car #19
5th place:  Skyline Middle School, Wilmington -  Car # 17

Design Results:

1st place:  Springer Middle School, Wilmington – Car #18
2nd place:  Sanford School, Hockessin – Car #15
3rd place:  Caravel Academy, Bear – Car #3
4th place:  Milford Middle School – Car #12
5th place:  Springer Middle School, Wilmington – Car #19

For more information on solar and other alternative sources of energy and the programs of the Delaware Energy Office, visit www.energy.dnrec.delaware.gov.