Solar cars are a perfect introduction to any number of critical STEM disciplines. These include the engineering design process, gear ratios, renewable energy, electricity and solar panels, and basic electronics. The Solar Sprint competition integrates the classroom activity with a little friendly competition.
These resources have been collected from a variety of sources including STEM Pre-Academy staff, Hawai‘i middle school teachers, the Hawai‘i State Department of Education, and others. And don't forget, we have solar panels and many other renewable energy kits and tools in the Toolkit for Teachers!
Solar Car Documents
Solar Car Lessons
- Lesson 01 - Solar Panels
- Lesson 02 - Gear Ratios and Kinetic Energy.docx
- Lesson 03 - Engineering Solar Cars.docx
Engineering Design Process
- Engineering Design Process - 4-Point Rubric
- Engineering Design Process - Overview - NASA 6-Step Process
- Engineering Design Process - Solar Car Challenge
Solar Car Lesson Resources
- Solar Car Building Considerations
- Solar Car Engineering
- Solar Car Unit
- Solar Panel Investigation
- Solar Panel Investigation - Table 01
- Solar Cars - Gears
- Solar Cars - Gear Ratio, Kinetic Energy & Force, and Motion Investigations
Solar Energy Documents
Solar Energy Resources
Rubric and STEM Documents
Rubrics and STEM Resources
Solar Sprint Challenge Documents
Solar Sprint Challenge Resources
- Assessing Quality Performance
- Assessing Quality Performance EDC
- Assessing Quality Product
- Car Hints
- Exhibition Rules
- Grade 6 Evidence Page
- Grade 8 Evidence Page
- Grade 8 Evidence Page - Answer Sheet
- Program and Support
- Setting Up a School Track
- Student Participation and Evidence Record Template