South Plantation High to Host Junior Solar Sprint Challenge

To teach others how to reduce their carbon footprint, students in South Plantation High’s Solar/Alternative Energy class are hosting a Junior Solar Sprint Challenge. Middle school students will design and race model solar cars in April. Winners of this regional competition will be set to the state competition at the Florida Solar Energy Centre in May.

The first step in the competition occurs Feb. 17-18, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Culpepper Amphitheater at South Plantation High, 1300 S.W. 54th Avenue. A hands-on workshop will show middle school students how solar power works and how to prepare the cars. High school students teach the mini sessions: understanding photovoltaic panels, connecting the panels to the motors, using a wind tunnel to see aerodynamics of design, attaching axles and bearings, working with gear ratios and seeing how renewable/non-renewable affects them. Middle schools who are participating include Indian Ridge and Falcon Cove on Wednesday (Feb. 17) and Parkway and Attucks on Thursday (Feb. 18).