It’s on again in 2010! Western Power is proud to host the Solar Model Car Challenge for the 19th year in 2010.
Our focus for this challenge is to connect with secondary school students, helping them to become energy ambassadors amongst their family and community by educating them on better ways to create, use and conserve energy.
Participation in this challenge provides students with an exciting and hands-on experience more valuable than simply winning or losing a contest. It’s proven to be an extremely powerful activity, providing students with practical applications for many of their ideas and concepts, developing their science and engineering skills.
The responsibility of working in teams combined with the planning and approach of the overall project can lead to the development of skills and personal qualities in students beyond what is possible in the classroom.
The Solar Model Car Challenge allows students to explore how solar energy works and how it benefits the environment. Through this learning, they can begin to understand the impact of their daily energy consumption and consider ways to reduce it.
This challenge is a valuable tool for teachers to bring the curriculum to life.
If you are interested in this competition but unsure of what is involved, come along to the teacher's development workshop. We will provide you with guidance and tips for building a solar powered car and help reduce confusion on how to comply with the rules and regulations. The workshop is highly recommended if you haven't previously competed in the challenge.
To register your school's interest, please complete the expression of interest form to be added to our mailing list for newsletters and competition regulations.
"I really enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm from the kids. I didn’t actually have any of these kids in my classes and lots of them were a problem for other staff. But the solar car challenge enthused them and brought out their best."
Teacher, 2009 Challenge
"It was great to see how the students interacted with each other and a more positive approach to their learning developed while they participated on the project."
Teacher, 2009 Challenge
"It was very rewarding to see the students take control of the whole process from design to racing. VERY stressful for some of them (a few tears when they didn’t make the final 16) but a fantastic learning experience”
Teacher, 2009 Challenge
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Page update on 15 March 2010
