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Hampshire Solar Challenge 2007
Harnessing the power of the sun
Climate change is high on everyone’s agenda
at present so one exciting and innovative way to get young people
to understand and appreciate the power of the sun as an alternative
source of energy they can harness for power is the Solar
Challenge. This event is supported by five local authorities
in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and over the past spring and
summer terms, around 500 children from primary schools in the area
have been learning just this. The end result is the extremely
successful Solar Challenge, which has provided the schools with a
method through which to raise awareness of renewable energy sources
and environmental concerns.
Each school was given a solar powered car kit
consisting of a body template, solar cell, motor gearing and
wheels. Using this and clear guidelines and rules the
children have designed, built and then raced their solar powered
cars. The programme fits in with many curriculum areas in
schools and so has been given the full backing of Hampshire County
Council Education Service.
There are two categories in the finals, the
fastest solar powered racing car and the best recycled solar
powered model. There children enjoyed a theatre performance
based on saving the planet and an energy fair with ideas and
examples of renewable energy and ways to reduce climate change, for
example how to make your own healthy fruit smoothy using a
bicycle-powered blender.
The children and teachers have said of this
practical, fun and educational experience that it has “enriched the
curriculum and raised awareness of sustainable energy” and was a
“great experience for the team, an improvement in children’s self
confidence and development of team spirit.”
The event started off with a local heat with 4 local schools
taking part. The Havant Solar Challenge took place on
the 29th June at Staunton Country Park. This year,
Bosmere, Purbrook, Meadowlands and Bidbury Junior Schools
turned up to show off their design and engineering skills by
racing solar powered cars and making solar power models of their
own creation.
The weather was changeable but the sun rallied
round and it stayed bright for the racing. The competition
was fierce, with Bosmere Junior School racing past the
chequered flag first. The winner of the best solar design
category was Bidbury School with their brilliant model
of a clown, which had a rotating bow tie, powered by the solar cell
and made with recycled materials.