This is a race for model solar cars built by secondary school age students which compete over a 100 metre figure "8" circuit. Two cars race at a time guided by parallel guide channels attached to the track surface. Time trials are held over a 15 metre distance and the speeds are used to "seed" the cars, ie. allocate them to groups in such a way that the faster cars should not compete with each other in the earlier rounds. A "round robin" involving 3 preliminary rounds in which each car races three other designated cars, will begin the competition. At the end of these rounds, the cars with the greatest number of wins are allocated into groups which compete in an elimination competition in which the winners continue to the next round, the losers are eliminated and race no further. This process of elimination continues until a winner is decided by being the only undefeated car. Final rounds may consist of a number of "heats" in which each car may win one heat. However, the winner will be the car that wins most heats.
Over the past 16 years, thousands of secondary school students have participated in this hands-on science program. Students experience the excitement of competition and, almost without knowing it, fill their minds with sustainable energy knowledge.
The competitive spirit is an effective motivator. Science and design and technology teachers throughout Western Australia have classes filled with enthusiastic students building model solar cars. Not only is it fun, but the learning outcomes are also tremendous. Teachers report how students motivated by the Challenge build an intuitive knowledge of the sciences that permeates the classroom.
Since 1992, winners of the Western Power Solar Model Car Challenge (“the Challenge”) have proven to be the best in the world dominating the Australian-International Solar Model Car Challenges, by winning 11 of the 16 events. For full results of the 2008 event, and results of previous events, see previous winners.
For up-to-date details regarding the Challenge, look out for the "Challenge Bulletin" when it arrives at your school in the coming months.
Forrest Place, Perth
$500 for your school and a trip to Tasmania in November 2008 to compete in the Australian-International Challenge.
Open to secondary schools and colleges.
Page update on 19 November 2008
