Solar car comp heats up region

More than 100 students fromschools around the region will try to build the fastest solar car when they take part in the inaugural Great Southern Synergy Solar Challenge on Thursday.

For the first time the challenge, which is run Statewide, will be held in Albany with Year 6 and 8 students heading to North Albany Senior High, to do battle for top honours.

Each school will have teams representing them as they build a solar-powered car and then race it against other teams on a 20m- 30m custom track.

A total of 140 students from St Joseph’s College, Great Southern Grammar, Bethel Christian School, Yakamia Primary School, Little Grove Primary School, Braeside Primary School, PEAC Albany Centre, Flinders Park Primary School, Albany Senior High School, North Albany Senior High School, John Calvin School, Mt Barker Community College and Denmark Senior High School will be involved in the inaugural event.

The STEM-based challenge is a joint initiative between Synergy and the Science Teachers’ Association of WA, and all participating schools receive lessons and car kits.

Designed to ignite interest in students choosing to study science, technology, engineering and maths, the challenge is in its fourth year and has expanded to regional areas.

The contest at NASHS will run from 10.30am-noon on Thursday.