Solar Sprint: The Mile Marker

October 2023

This is the first quarterly issue of the Solar Sprint e-newsletter, The Mile Marker, for the 2023-2024 school year. This newsletter brings updates and information on Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) and Senior Solar Sprint (SSS) — both of which are STEM competitions. JSS is administered by the Technology St udent Association (TSA) through a grant awarded by the Army Educational Outreach Program. The SSS competition is administered by TSA. Both JSS and SSS empower teachers, mentors, and other community members to engage students in the designing, building, and racing of model solar cars.

Check out the latest Solar Sprint headlines:

Senior Solar Sprint

TSA is pleased to announce that Senior Solar Sprint (SSS) will again be offered as a high school competitive event at the 2024 National TSA Conference. SSS is managed by TSA. Students apply scientific understanding, creativity, experimentation, and teamwork to design, build, and race a model solar vehicle that carries a payload, and the solar panel angle has to be adjustable. Documentation of the process is required. Please contact Sue King at [email protected] with any questions.

TSA Student Member Registration

Once student members are ready to get started in JSS or SSS, they will need to register. The registration link will be available soon. Registration for the Solar Sprint programs is in addition to TSA affiliation. Important data provided from student registrations helps supports the distribution of free solar car kits to TSA chapters.

2024 National TSA Conference

Start making plans to participate in the Senior Solar Sprint and Junior Solar Sprint events in Orlando, Florida at the 2024 National TSA Conference. More information can be found on the 2024 National TSA Conference webpage.

JSS Jumpstart

This onsite, elementary school-based event provides 5th and 6th grade students housed in elementary schools with a fun, hands-on opportunity to learn about solar and renewable energy by building solar-powered cars. There is no fee to participate in JSS Jumpstart; however, participants need to purchase their own supplies.

Looking for ways to give your entry a boost?

Here are some tips and techniques suggested by JSS Event Coordinator, Bob Walters:

Solar Sprint Battery Circuit

Battery Holder Micro Clips Battery Leads Solar Panel Leads Switch and Button

The images above illustrate the SPDT switch and normally closed (NC) push button, as well as the battery leads and solar panel leads. This vehicle is using a Pitsco solar panel. The solar panel leads terminate with micro clips. The leads leading from the motor to the solar panel have loops on the ends. These facilitate a good electrical connection with the solar panel clips. SolarMade panels have metal strips for connection. For those panels, students should solder the micro clips to the ends of the motor leads. The holder for a pair of AA batteries can also be seen in this photo.

Solar Sprint Guidance System

The sketch on the left illustrates two examples of how to make a guidance system. Use 18 gauge wire. The two photographs on the right are these same systems that were actually fabricated. Putting the clips under the vehicle makes it difficult to connect to the guidewire. These systems are easy to connect.

Guidance clip, also referred to eyelet. This cannot be a screweye! The image to the right from the Junior Solar Sprint Host Guidebook put out by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Circa 1994.

Right View Left View

Each month, learn more about AEOP and its STEM connections.

What is AEOP?

For more than 50 years, AEOP has supported a wide range of educational opportunities in STEM for youth, college, and graduate students, as well as valued teachers. From elementary school through graduate school, students of all proficiency levels, interests, and social and economic backgrounds are encouraged to participate in real-world STEM experiences while also engaging with Army-sponsored mentors.

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