Approximately 800 students at seventeen (17) Hunterdon middle schools are learning about alternative energy as part of the Hunterdon County Junior Solar Sprints education program coordinated by goHunterdon. Junior Solar Sprints is a competition based S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) curriculum program that engages students in grades 6-8 to design, build and race solar-powered model cars.
Over the course of several months, students participate in interactive lessons on Solar Power and Green Energy Sources, Aerodynamics, Gears and Gear Ratios, Basics of Design, Building and Testing a Protoype Vehicle, and Speed. Lessons are provided by goHunterdon staff. Junior Solar Sprints programming is incorporated into classroom curriculum or used as part of an after school club.
Student teams are provided with a basic kit of materials needed to build their race cars (wheels, axels, gears, motors, and solar panels). Beyond these materials, students may use anything they like to design and build their vehicle.
After months of building, testing and experimentation, students compete for the fastest, most-innovative and best-engineered vehicles on JSS Race Day.
Student teams from around Hunterdon County will convene in May to race their vehicles against one another. Student cars are judged in five different categories: speed, craftsmanship, engineering, best use of recycled materials, and documentation portfolio. Winners in each of these categories are invited to the JSS regional competition at an Inter-County final competition.
Participating Schools
- Alexandria Middle School
- Bloomsbury Elementary School
- Califon Public School
- Clinton Public School
- Clinton Township Middle School
- East Amwell Township School
- Ethel Hoppock Middle School
- Frenchtown Elementary School
- High Bridge Middle School
- Holland Township School
- Immaculate Conception School*
- Kingwood Township School
- Lambertville Public School
- Lebanon Township School
- Old Turnpike School
- Reading-Fleming Intermediate School
- Round Valley School
Junior Solar Sprints programming is provided to participating schools free of charge, thanks to the generosity of local sponsors. For information on Junior Solar Sprints and how you can support Junior Solar Sprints programming, https://www.gohunterdon.org/sustainable-hunterdon/junior-solar-sprints