Students' Solar Cars Still Triumph on Overcast Day

A group of budding engineers at Green Brook Middle School gathered Friday, ready to test vehicles designed and built to utilize solar power, as part of the school's Gifted and Talented Class.

The projects began in January, with students given the criteria to meet in their designs following standards set for the National Science Bowl. The project is sponsored by TransOptions, a non-profit transportation management association aimed at improving mobility and transportation in New Jersey, as part of the group's Solar Car Sprints competition.

According to TransOptions Joseph Caravella, the solar car sprints have proven to be a great introductory project for students to learn about alternative energy and use their imaginations in creating vehicles. He added the sprints may help encourage some students to pursue engineering as a career, or become innovators in alternative energy and transportation.

"If we are able to get these sixth, seventh and eighth graders thinking in those terms, then we've been successful," Caravella said. "I think this is where we need to be getting more students involved." 

Friday's weather wasn't ideal for solar car sprints, so the the event was moved inside to the school gym. Students included alternate power from battery powered electric motors in their vehicle designs, but the challenges of meeting the mandatory size and payload requirements of the sprints proved vexing.

Students Demetra Chang, Deeba Shokrani, Connie Situ and Michelle Yang presented an ocean-themed vehicle, with a small goldfish bowl on the front—complete with a goldfish to enjoy the ride.

However, their vehicle encountered troubles in the sprint and when asked what lessons they learned in the project, they quickly identified the challenges.

"We didn't even think about the gear ratios," Deeba said. Connie added their vehicle's split rear axle wasn't very functional, either.

But the competition included more than just a sprint, with points awarded for craftsmanship, engineering, best use of recycled materials and documentation points.

A panel of judges reviewed the vehicles, also, including Danny Griffin, Walter Tunison and Dave Paltjon judging the craftsmanship points; Jim Silver, Mayor Pat Boccio and Lou Bruno awarding engineering points; Cynthia Reuther, Nicole Koch and Gary LoPinto judging the portfolios; and Caravella, Timothy Charleston and Pablo Guevara judging the use of recycled materials.   

The four winning teams were Emma Gaffney, Allison Huresky and Marlise Moesch for “The Penny Saver” (engineering); Michelle Shui, Arielle Ostry, McKenzie Skyler and Brooke Stanicki's “Read All About It” (documentation portfolio); Sahil Deo, Sam Wamakima, David Walker and David Roushdy's “The Orange Box” (speed); and Emily Carrieri, Geena Rochetti, Sonali Howe and Sydney Buck's "Starbucks" entry, which won in craftmanship, recycled materials and the Judge's Choice award.

The teams will participate in the state competition in May, where the prospects for solar power are better.