National Junior Solar Sprint

Topics:  Photovoltaics, Engineering Design and Construction)

Sponsor:  U.S. Department of Energy – National Renewable Energy Lab

Web Address:  http://www.nrel.gov/education/student/natjss.html

Grade Level:  MS

Learning Strategies:  Hands-on; project based; research, design and build a machine; cooperative learning; multidisciplinary.

Frameworks Connections:

Science and Technology/Engineering

• Technology /Engineering, Grades 6-8

  1. Materials, Tools and Machines
  2. Engineering Design

• Earth and and Space Science, Grades 6-8

  Heat Transfer in the Earth System

Mathematics

• Number Sense and Operations, Grades 5-8
  
• Patterns, Relations & Algebra, Grades 5-8
  
• Measurement, Grades 5-6

Cost:  Free downloads of rules and regulations and several guides with tips and assistance for building solar models.  Model kits can be purchased for around $24.99.  Registration fee, if applicable, is left to the regional sites. 

"The U.S. Department of Energy's National Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) Program is a classroom-based, hands-on educational program for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. JSS student teams apply math, science, and creativity to construct model solar-powered cars and race them in interscholastic competitions hosted within their schools or within their states or regions.”

Massachusetts competitions are held in Pittsfield, at Western New England College, and at an additional eastern site.  Enough resources are provided on the web site for a class or school to work on the project independently without attending a competition. These resources include information about suppliers of kits for the models, guides with background information, lesson plans, activities to help students design the best solar vehicle, tips about parts and construction, and a teacher and mentor guide for integrating JSS into the classroom.