Junior Solar Sprint
A Model Solar Car Competition for Middle School Students
The Junior Solar Sprint Program
Junior Solar Sprint is a design engineering challenge where students in fifth through eighth grade design and create model solar electric race cars. Youth can then enter competitions and be judged on the merits of the model solar electric cars.
Through JSS, students develop teamwork and problem solving abilities, investigate environmental issues, gain hands-on engineering skills, and use principals of science and math to get the fastest, most interesting, and best crafted vehicle possible.
This is a teacher's dream! Having students design and build a model solar car for competition is highly engaging and challenges kids to put their learning to practical use.
Junior Solar Sprint Resources:
Area & State Event Coordinators
JSS Northeast Championship Official Rules 2011
JSS Resources - CurriculaHow to Build a Model Solar Car (NREL Tutorial, PDF)
JSS Resources - Official Panels & Motors
JSS Resources - Transportation Links
Get Inspired:
Championship Winning Teams 2011 & 2011 Gallery
Championship Winning Teams 2010
Championship Winning Teams 2009
2009 Championship Video - Watch on the AEOP website!
Championship Winning Teams 2008
Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) continues to be facilitated at the local and state level by a dedicated group of individuals, non-profits, and institutions. If would like to contact your area/state JSS Coordinator and are not sure who that individual is, please visit the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) for a listing of all coordinators. NREL also houses on-line JSS curriculum materials.
As of June 30, 2011, The U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) and AEOP Consortium Leader, Virginia Tech, are working to identify the next regional coordinator. If you have participated in JSS you will be alerted by the new coordinator. If you have any questions regarding the status of JSS in the northeast please contact Donna Augustine at Virginia Tech at donna.augustine@vt.edu.
It our sincerest hope that programs such as JSS provide opportunities for students to become informed and pro-active citizens, infused with a team-spirit approach to face the challenges that lie ahead with dignity and resourcefulness.
The Northeast Junior Solar Sprint Program is sponsored by the U.S. Army 