Junior Solar Sprint 2024
Event Location: Orange County STEM Saturday
Competition: Junior Solar Sprint
Division: 4-6 (JSS Green)
School: Bay Meadows Elementary
Team Name: Koalas Rule!
Project Name: Bob's Car
Team Size: 4
Team Members: Sarah A (5th grade), Bishr K. (5th grade), Rory L. (5th grade) and Jada W. (4th grade)
Pictures of our Solar Sprint car
Project Meetings
1st meeting: October 27th, 2024 @ 9:30am -12:00pm
Sarah, Rory, Bishr and Jada attended the meeting
Tasks:
- Read the rules and instructions from the kit. (30 minutes)
- Drew designs (30 minutes)
- Tested the solar panel with a multimeter. Also tested with mirror to see if it would increase power. (30 minutes)
- Carved and glued balsa wood (60 minutes)
Obstacles Encountered:
It was hard to attach the multimeter to the solar panel.
Modifications:
None
2nd meeting: November 3rd, 2024 @ 9:30-12:00pm
Sarah, Rory, Bishr and Jada attended the meeting
Tasks:
1. Added taller support panel (15 minute)
2. Tested and installed soldering switch, engine and solar panel (40 minutes)
3. Tested and picked the gear ratio of four to one. (15 minutes)
4. Glued axels and connected wheels. (20 minutes)
5. Tested the car with battery and solar power. (60 minutes)
Obstacles Encountered:
Car veered towards the right.
Modifications:
None. We discussed modification options, but we were nervous that making changes would make it worse.
3rd meeting: November 10th @9:30 am-12:00pm
Sarah, Rory, Bishr and Jada attended the meeting over Zoom meeting.
Tasks:
Trimmed ball holder (10 minutes)
Build Website (140 Minutes)
Obstacles Encountered:
Difficulty staying focused and a few technical problems with zoom.
Modifications:
Trimmed ball holder in half so ball would not be wedged.
Design Drawings
Finished Car Specifications
Car size : 13.5cm (W) x 28cm (L) x 14cm (H)
Weight : 28.6 grams
Wheel size: front wheel 3.5 cm, back wheel 4cm.
Geer Ratio: 4:1
Components used and their cost
| Item | Cost | New/ Reused/Recycled |
| Balsa Wood | $0.00 | came with the kit |
| cool melt glue gun | $4.57 | new |
| Paper towel roll | $0.00 | recycled |
| Switch | $1.50 | new |
| AA batteries | $0.50 | new |
| Paper clip | $0.00 | recycled |
Vehicle Performance Test
| Vehicle Test Information | Test 1 | Test 2 | Test 3 |
| Solar or Battery Power | Solar | Solar | Battery |
| Weather | Sunny | Sunny | Sunny |
| Date and Time of Day | Nov.3 10:54 am | Nov.3 10:57am | Nov.3 10:58am |
| Distance Traveled | ~20 feet | ~20 feet | ~20 feet |
| Time Elapsed | 3.55 sec | 3.01 sec | 3.08 sec |
| Speed (distance divided by time) | 5mph | 6mph | 6mph |
| Comments on Performance | Went fast; Veered slightly right | Went fast; Veered slightly right | Went fast; Veered slightly right |
| Ideas for Improving the car | None; Afraid that we could overcorrect and make it worse. | None; Afraid that we could overcorrect and make it worse. | None; Afraid that we could overcorrect and make it worse. |
Vehicle Features Video
To see our video please click this link
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Comments Test 1:
Jada: “I think the first test went really smooth and good, especially the fact it was on solar power.”
Sarah: “Test 1 was not the worst but it was not the best”
Rory: “Test 1 was not the best but with some more sun it be better”
Bishr: “I think Test 1 was good, but we can do better”