Solar Sprint: Panther Edition
Event Location: Cocoa-FL
Competition: Junior Solar Sprint
Division: 7-8 (JSS Blue)
School: Kennedy Middle
Team Name: Prowling Panthers
Project Name: Solar Sprint: Panther Edition
Team Size: 4
Kennedy Middle School’s
Team Prowling Panthers
Theme: Prowling ahead of the competition.
Team Members: Nicholas H. (8th), Tristan T. (8th), Colby S. (8th), Brayden J. (8th)
Weekly Drawing
2/7/25- No issues encountered, just basic design and construction. Tristan constructed the chassis while I began working on the website.
Members present: Tristan, Nick, Brayden, and Colby.
2/14/25- The group ran into an issue today. The Axles were too short, meaning the gears and wheels wouldn’t fit on them.
Everyone was present.
REFLECTION TESTS?
On 2/21/25, we tested if reflecting light using Tin foil would be effective in increasing the energy output of the solar panel, and our trials proved successful! Our first trial without the foil showed around 3.5 Volts, but with the foil this shot up to almost 3.9!
Members present: Nick, Tristan, Brayden, and Colby
2/28/25
Today we decided on the gear ratio. We worked most of the meeting trying to perfect it. Instead of the usual 1:3. We made minor adjustments to the chassis.
3/7/25.
We started off by sanding down some of the chassis to make room for the motor, as it didn’t quite reach the gear. We tested the car on its own and it moved perfectly fine. Though, not as fast as we would have liked. We’ll likely adjust the gear ratio in the future to enhance this. We did find an even smaller gear, so instead of a twelve tooth we used an eight tooth. This should help give us the edge we need.
Members present: Brayden, Tristan, Nick, Colby
3/29/25
All members present
We edited the ball socket for the solar panel mount. We also built the sticker mounts for the car and final details.
4/4/25
All members present, we tested the car
Parts/prices
- Body – recycled
- wheels/axles – 5 dollars
- Solar panel mount – 3d printed
- Motor – 2 dollars
- Solar panel – 39 dollars
- Battery holder – 2 dollars
- Spray Paints – 8 dollars