Solar Challenge puts students math, science & engineer skills to the test

EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) – Sparking interest in math, science and engineering, a chance for middle school students to compete Saturday using solar power.

 EWEB and several area school districts hosted the 15th annual Solar Challenge at cal Young Middle School on Saturday, June 9th, 2012.

About 300 students took part putting more than 100 handmade solar powered cars to the test. Students raced their cars, put them to a hill climb and more as part of the competition.

Teachers say it's one of the experiences that sticks with kids for years, hopefully pushing them to learn more about sciences.

"It's really kind of a science foundation program, but there's a lot of engineering design applications and a lot of math calculations that go into it too … it's becoming more and more important as technology advances at a really fast rate,” says Tim Whitley, the coordinator of the Solar Challenge program.

As for advice for future Solar Challenge participants?

“Measure the gear before you put it on,” says Megan B, an 8th grader at Agnes Stewart Middle School.

The solar challenge ropes in schools from the Eugene 4J, Springfield, Bethel, South Lane and Crow-Applegate-Lorrane school districts.