Students use engineering design principles to construct and test a fully solar powered car. Several options exist, though we recommend the "Junior Solar Sprint" (JSS) Car Kits that can be purchased with direction from the federal government. Using the JSS kit from Solar World, students were provided with a photovoltaic panel that produces ~3V at ~3W. An optional accessory kit also available from Solar World includes wheels, axels and drive gears. A chassis must be built additionally. Balsa wood provides an excellent option though many others are available. The testing of the solar car culminates in a solar race between classmates.

Concepts

engineering, stem, solar energy

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Additional Tags

gear ratio, photovoltaic, solar car, solar power, integrated teaching and learning program and laboratory, teachengineering

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Classroom Considerations

• Knovation Readability Score: 3 (1 low difficulty, 5 high difficulty)