The Junior Solar Sprint will take place outside of the Franklin Institute this weekend, and will include 140 solar powered cars built and raced by Philadelphia’s youth.
Philadelphia, PA May 12th, 2011: It may be cloudy this Saturday May 14th, but the race will go on at the Franklin Institute for nearly 350 students who designed and built their own solar powered cars in preparation to compete at the 18th annual Junior Solar Sprint.
The race will take place on the Winters Street side of the Franklin Institute, who sponsors the event every year. There are 3 categories: Speed, Technical Merit, and Creativity. Local artists and members of the Eastern Electric Vehicle Club will judge a first, second, and third place prize for each category, as well as award one car as Most Outstanding. There is also an adult division, and the contest is open to anyone who wants to participate.
Winter Street will close for the event and the public is invited to come along and cheer for their favorite solar powered car during the race. Jon Costanza of SunPower Builders, a Collegeville based ecological design firm and solar installer who is also sponsoring the Solar Sprint, says “We’ve been involved with this race for nearly 20 years, and we always have lots of fun. We hope to educate and excite schools and kids so that they grow up with solar technologies becoming common place in their thoughts and their communities.”
Other contributors include Trader Joe’s who donated cereal bars and Arnold’s Way Café who will provide green smoothies to the participants and onlookers.
The annual event is held at many locations throughout the East Coast and is coordinated by NESEA. The Philadelphia race is held by the local division, PSEA, and managed in the Philadelphia area by Joe Bruno. The winners from this event will go on to compete at the regional level held in Springfield, MA in June. Rain date: Sunday, May 15th at 9am.
For more info on the Junior Solar Sprint, contact Joe Bruno, 610.639.1813
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