Contact: Jack Hoban, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902 

Delaware students compete in Junior Solar Sprint
Students design, build and race model cars powered by solar energy

DOVER (May 13, 2011) – Almost 100 middle and junior high school students from nine schools participated in Delaware’s 17^th Annual Junior Solar Sprint Competition at the St. Thomas More Academy in Magnolia. 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 awarded for the fastest and best designed cars in the state.

Participating schools included: Beacon Middle School, Lewes; Caravel Academy, Bear; Holy Cross School, Dover; Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Wilmington; Milford Middle School, Providence Creek Academy, Clayton; Sanford School, Hockessin; Skyline Middle School, Wilmington, and Springer Middle School, Wilmington.

“Students who participated in this event learned about not only teamwork, but also the growing importance of renewable energy to reduce costs and decrease our dependence on foreign energy supplies,” said DNREC Deputy Secretary David Small. “I'm certain that among the Junior Solar Sprint contestants today are future scientists and engineers.” 

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 the state’s 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 such was the degree of focus on the Solar Sprint races that pit crews came equipped with spare parts for possible repairs.

The winning schools were: 

Race Results: Fastest car

1^st place: Beacon Middle School, Lewes - Car #1
2^nd place: Springer Middle School, Wilmington - Car #18
3^rd place: Springer Middle School, Wilmington - Car #19
4^th place: Holy Cross School, Dover- Car # 6
5^th place: Skyline Middle School, Wilmington - Car # 16 

Design Results:

1st place: Springer Middle School, Wilmington
2^nd place: Skyline Middle School, Wilmington
3^rd place: Skyline Middle School, Wilmington 
4^th place: Springer Middle School, Wilmington
5^th place: Holy Cross Middle School, Dover

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. 

Vol. 41, No. 184