Solar Model Boat Challenge

 

The Western Power Solar Model Boat Challenge, held at Scitech’s car park in City West crowned a new speed boat champion in 2009 with Millen Primary School’s ‘Flying Nemo’ taking first place honours in the Junior Division with an amazing 7.03 seconds.

After dominating the competition for the past three years, Gooseberry Hill Primary School’s ‘Riccochet’ were placed as runner up with a time of 7.81 seconds. The school redeemed themselves by taking first place in the Junior Restricted Division, aimed at younger students or new schools, with ‘Beached As’ clocking 8.44 seconds.

In their first year of this competition, Yangebup Primary School students were thrilled with their second place finish in the Junior Restricted Division and will be travelling to Melbourne to compete in the national competition along with Millen Primary School and the two teams from Gooseberry Hill Primary School.

“Our students have given up their lunch break every Tuesday for the past six months to prepare for the Solar Boat Challenge and our second place finish is a fantastic result,” said John Reid, Principal of Yangebup Primary School.

“The Solar Boat Challenge has provided them with an excellent opportunity for conceptual development and now a trip to the Australian competition.  Children can’t get much better education than this,” he said.

Through the hands-on process of designing, building and testing model solar boats and experimenting with materials and construction techniques, students develop a sound understanding of fundamental scientific and engineering concepts for generating energy.

Western Power’s Sustainability Manager, Ms Inge Van Der Poel said that the Solar Model Challenge is a great way for young people to be innovative about alternative ways to generate energy. 

“The competition provides a great opportunity to learn about sustainable technology in a practical and enjoyable way,” Ms Van Der Poel said.

“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,” Ms Van Der Poel said.

This is the fourth year of this event and the first time it was held at Scitech. The central location provided easy access for schools travelling from all over the metro and regional area, including two teams travelling from Esperance Primary School. The event was also streamlined from a two day competition into one day with heats and time trials held in the morning and finals in the afternoon.

Scitech was a major sponsor for the event providing the venue, equipment, staffing and prizes. All schools participating in the competition were also offered free entry to enjoy the Scitech museum when their team wasn’t racing. This provided the students with a fantastic opportunity to view the Energy Zone, sponsored by Western Power, which opened in July this year. It was also a welcome relief for the accompanying teachers to have their students entertained in between racing.

Award	Junior division	Boat name
1st	Millen Primary School	Flying Nemo
2nd	Gooseberry Hill Primary School	Riccochet
3rd	Bateman Primary School	Bateman Bolt
4th	Rockingham Beach Primary School	Who Cares?
Junior Restricted Division
1st	Gooseberry Hill Primary School	Beached As
2nd	Yangebup Primary School	Lucky Peace
3rd	Shelley Primary School	SS Sub
4th	Shelley Primary School	SS Toac
Additional prizes
Best Poster	Beaconsfield Primary School	Dark Vader
R/up Best Poster	Beaconsfield Primary School	Solar Patrol
Best Looking Boat	Beaconsfield Primary School	Solar Patrol