Almost 2000 students from across Victoria will converge on Scienceworks to race solar-powered cars and boats in the 2009 Victorian Model Solar Vehicle Challenge held on October 17 and 18.
“We are looking forward to a day of action and great excitement,” says event organiser Paul Wellington. “This year we see students putting more effort in than ever before to participate in the challenge and gain a valuable, hand-on chance to experience the power and potential of the Sun.”
With the chance to compete at the National Finals in November, teams from up to 60 schools from across the state have spent months preparing their models for the annual competition.
The event, which began in 1990, encourages young people to explore the potential of solar energy through the construction of working models and boasts some of the finest achievements in technology and science of Victorian school children.
There are a number of categories listed for the day including student designed cars, kit cars and boats. The solar car models will compete on a specially built 100m figure 8 track, the kit cars in a “pursuit” around an oval track and the solar boats will race in a purpose built 10-metre pool.
“Scienceworks is delighted to have a long association with the model solar vehicle challenge”, says Genevieve Fahey, Scienceworks Manager. “It is a wonderful opportunity for students to bring engineering to life in their remarkable creations, and to think about how solar power can play a part in solving environmental challenges.”
The National finals of the 2009 Model Solar Vehicle Challenge will be held on 28 & 29 November at Scienceworks, with entries from around Australia pitted against international teams from Iran and Taiwan.
For further details please visit www.modelsolar-vic.net.
Scienceworks is open 10am – 4.30pm daily. 2 Booker Street Spotswood
(03) 9392 4800