Results of the 3rd Annual Cape & Islands Junior Solar Sprint

Model solar car race a great success

On Saturday, June 3rd 2006 students, parents, and teachers from across Southeastern Massachusetts enjoyed a day of model solar car racing and technical competitions at Cape Cod Community College. Though cloudy weather forced the competition inside, the day was a great success as 20 teams competed in the 3rd Annual Cape and Islands Junior Solar Sprint.

"This event is a great way to expose young people to clean energy technology and get them interested in pursuing careers in the high tech field of renewable energy.” - Richard Lawrence Director of Special Projects for Cape & Islands Self-Reliance.

Twenty teams of two to four students entered this years competition, with over 100 people showing up to participate in and watch the races. The winners of this year’s competition are as follows:

Speed
1st “Phoenix Flamer” by Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School’s Christopher Knapp & Gary Clinch
2nd “Mike & Mike” by Cape Cod Jr. Tech Council’s Michael Walsh & Michael Splitz
3rd “The Blue Goose” by Quashnet School’s Taylor, Jake, Zak, & Lou.

Technical Merit
1st “Troilus” by Quashnet School’s Abigail Wise, Nichole Perkins, & Ayla Fudala
2nd “Small and Powerful” by Chatham Middle School’s Alexis McGowan, Jennifer Torres, & Matt Amsler.
3rd “Mach 5” by Cape Cod Jr. Tech Council’s Luke Starr & Devin Mulcahy.

Craftsmanship
1st “Phoenix Flamers” by Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School’s Christopher Knapp & Gary Clinch.
2nd “The Beast” by Chatham Middle School’s Sean Connors, Scott MacAllister, & Sean Connell.
3rd “The Duck Mobile” by Cape Cod Academy’s Ming Rogers & Hannah Van Sciver.

Innovation
1st “Insight” by New Bedford Roosevelt Middle School’s Deshqnu Gomes & Bret Medeiros.
2nd “The Viper” by Cape Cod Academy’s Greg Mitrokstas, Matt Kohler, & Erol Karchner.
3rd “VannaMarie” by Quashnet School’s Shannon Jordan & Tim Arie.

The Junior Solar Sprint began in 1990 as a single race, and now spans more than 83 host sites in 26 states, involving more than 100,000 students and 15,000 teachers. It is a classroom based, hands-on educational program for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. JSS students apply physical sciences, technology/engineering, modern history and creativity to construct model solar-powered cars and race them.

The goal of the JSS is to generate enthusiasm for science and engineering at a crucial stage in the educational development of young people. It improves students’ understanding of scientific concepts and renewable energy technologies. The Sprint also provides an effective and exciting way to teach the Massachusetts science and technology/engineering curriculum framework for 6th, 7th and 8th graders, while encouraging young people to consider technical careers at an early age.

“I was really impressed with the quality of cars the students brought. Their collective efforts showed through,” said Peregrine Carlson, AmeriCorps volunteer and Junior Solar Sprint Coordinator for this year’s race.

“The students who entered cars in this competition are terrific. It is obvious that they have a lot of fun competing against each other. This event is a great way to expose young people to clean energy technology and get them interested in pursuing careers in the high tech field of renewable energy,” said Richard Lawrence Director of Special Projects for Cape & Islands Self-Reliance.

Students interested in participating in next year’s race should talk to their teachers or go to www.reliance.org and click the Junior Solar Sprint link for more details. Or they can call Cape & Islands Self-Reliance 508-457-7679.

Cape & Islands Self-Reliance was founded in 1980 to identify, facilitate and educate the public about sound environmental practices that help protect our ecosystem. By educating and empowering the consumer, Self-Reliance acts as a catalyst in implementing cost-saving, pollution-reducing opportunities for homeowners, businesses and municipalities. Self-Reliance’s community-supported buying cooperative was established over 20 years ago to place the purchasing power in the hands of the consumer by enabling citizens of Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts to buy necessary services at affordable group rates.