Get your engines ready
Release Date: 22 September 2008
The State's most widely contested solar model challenge, the Western Power Solar Model Car and Boat Challenge this year includes teams from all over Western Australia who are gearing up for the race of the year.
Senior and Junior teams from Albany, Rockingham, Three Springs, Newman, Bunbury as well as numerous metropolitan schools will make their way into the city to take part in the 2008 Solar Challenge, held in Forrest Chase (solar model cars for senior students) and at the World of Energy in Fremantle (solar model boats for junior students) in late October.
22 senior and 23 junior schools have registered in the event, which will be Western Power's seventeenth Solar Model Challenge.
Western Power's Sustainability Manager, Ms Inge Van Der Poel said that the Solar Model Challenge is great way for young people to be innovative about alternative ways to generate energy.
"Solar powered racing has also proved to be great fun and we expect a fair bit of excitement as we get into the finals in October."
Through the hands-on process of designing a model solar car and boats and experimenting with materials and construction techniques, students develop a sound understanding of fundamental scientific and engineering concepts.
The senior school students also learned the thrills and spills of a grand prix style solar model car racing track.
"The competition is not just about winning, it's about learning and sharing and enjoying yourself," Ms Van Der Poel said.
"Western Power hopes that by exposing young people to this kind of challenge they will be encouraged to develop a more sustainable approach to energy use, or even pursue a career in this field.
"We get new schools joining the competition every year and many more who are regular entrants.
The first four placegetters will be flown to Tasmania to compete in the Australian-International titles, which will be held this year on the 22 and 23 of November.
Participating schools:
Solar Car Challenge - Senior Schools
*new schools
1. Albany Senior High School ALBANY
2. *Armadale Christian College BEDFORDALE
3. Aquinas College MANNING
4. Belridge Senior High School BELDON
5. Christ Church Grammar School CLAREMONT
6. Girrawheen Senior High School GIRRAWHEEN
7. Guildford Grammar School GUILDFORD
8. *John Calvin Christian College ARMADALE
9. *John Calvin School ALBANY
10. John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School MIRRABOOKA
11. Kelmscott Senior High School KELMSCOTT
12. Kolbe Catholic College ROCKINGHAM
13. Leeming Senior High School LEEMING
14. Lynwood Senior High School PARKWOOD
15. *Maranatha Christian College WAIKIKI
16. Mazenod College LESMURDIE
17. Morley Senior High School NORANDA
18. Perth Modern School SUBIACO
19. Prendiville Catholic College OCEAN REEF
20. Shenton College SHENTON PARK
21. Thornlie Senior High School THORNLIE
22. Winthrop Baptist College WINTHROP
Solar Boat Challenge - Junior Schools
1. All Saints College
2. Bateman Primary School LEEMING
3. Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School BUNBURY
4. Dalkeith Primary School DALKEITH
5. Greenfields Primary School GREENFIELDS
6. Gooseberry Hill Primary School GOOSEBERRY HILL
7. Holy Spirit School WEMBLEY DOWNS
8. Medina Primary School MEDINA
9. Millen Primary School EAST VIC PARK
10. North Cottesloe Primary School COTTESLOE
11. Ocean Reef Primary School OCEAN REEF
12. Peter Moyes Anglican Community School MINDARIE
13. Rockingham Beach Primary School ROCKINGHAM
14. Sorrento Primary School SORRENTO
15. South Halls Head Primary School HALLS HEAD
16. South Newman Primary School NEWMAN
17. St Jerome's Primary School MUNSTER
18. St Joseph's School NORTHAM
19. St Stephen's School DUNCRAIG
20. Three Springs Primary School THREE SPRINGS
21. West Beechboro Primary School BEECHBORO
22. Westminster Primary School WESTMINSTER
23. Yakamia Primary School ALBANY
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding this media release please email us: media@westernpower.com.au
