Fueled by a combination of alternative energy and the competitive spirit, some Daniel Axford Elementary students spent part of Earth Day (April 22) racing the solar cars they built.
Teams of second-graders used the almost limitless power of the sun to fuel small vehicles they constructed from special kits purchased by their teacher Colleen Kazor.
‘In our science kits, we do not have energy this year, but I thought for Earth Day, it would be fun and educational,? she said.
The kids began building their cars two days prior to the big Earth Day race.
‘Each day, a team of four assembled their car, did trial runs, then took it apart and put it back for the next team, the next day,? Kazor said. ‘It is very difficult for them to work in teams, but they’re learning.?
In addition to solar energy, the project taught students about math as they timed and graphed how long it took their cars to travel from the starting line to the finish during both the trials and the race.
‘They also learned responsibility and respect ? putting things back carefully so the next team can use it,? Kazor noted.