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The people who organize the north east regional race.

NESEA

The people behind the cape and island junior solar sprint.

Self Reliance

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Junior Solar Sprint 2005

On Sunday, June 5, middle school students and their families and friends gathered at Falmouth High School to enter their model solar cars in the 2nd annual Cape and Islands Junior Solar Sprint.  Cape & Islands Self-Reliance (Self-Reliance), coordinator of the event, is pleased to announce that the top 4 teams will advance to the Northeast Junior Solar Sprint Championship.

The regional championship will be held on June 12th at the Springfield Science Museum in Springfield, Massachusetts. Middle school students from the Cape Cod region will join students from New England, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Washington DC. Self-Reliance coordinated the JSS event with support from Shaws, Starbucks, and the Cape Light Compact.

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.  This year’s area race held on June 5TH, at Falmouth High School went off without a hitch.  It was a beautiful sunny day, and the ample solar energy produced some super speedy racers. 

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.
“The students who enter cars in this race are truly amazing.  This is a great way to expose young people to clean energy technology, and possibly get them interested in pursuing a career in the high tech field of renewable energy,” said Richard Lawrence Education Coordinator and Director of Special Projects for Cape & Islands Self-Reliance.

                        All in all it was a wonderful day, volunteers from AmeriCorps Cape Cod showed up to help out with timing and race day logistics.  As well as several local volunteer judges; Joan Muller from WEBNERR, Andy Bowersox a local teacher, and Shawn Reeves who runs energyteachers.org.  There was a booth by Cape Wind, the people behind the proposed wind farm in Nantucket Sound, and Tom Wieman, local renewable energy contractor, brought the renewable energy trailer (wonderful demonstration of wind solar and solar thermal all in one trailer).   

The races were fast and furious with some cars moving along as a furious clip. 

The winners in the speed category were.  1st the “Blue Flame” car by Quashnet schools Ben Vachon and Jesse Wilcox
2nd “The Eliminator” car by Quashnet schools Ryan Stanley and Dillion Caldwell
3rd “Black Impossible” car by Quashnet schools Dylan Jerill and Dean Ouelet              

There were also prizes for Craftsmanship, Innovation and Technical Merit.

1st in Craftsmanship

“The Eliminator” car by Quashnet schools Ryan Stanley and Dillion Caldwell

1st in Innovation

The “Jack Rabbit” car by Quashnet schools David Allen Brian Sousa Eric Riley and Derek Rodriquez

1st in Technical Merit

The Jack Rabbit” car by Quashnet schools David Allen Brian Sousa Eric Riley and Derek Rodriquez

While Quashnet school cleaned up in most categories there were also many good cars from other schools on Cape Cod.  It just seemed that the Quashnet had the good design skills this year thanks in large part to the guidance of their teacher Sheila Carotenuto.  Her tireless effort really paid off for her kids, as they raced there way to victory.  Last year’s race features 4 teams, this year’s race had 8 teams, and over 60 people showed up.  Next years race should be even better.