Santana High School's solar boat team captured the "Hottest-Looking Boat" award at the 2012 Solar Cup. Congratulations to all involved for their hard work and effort!
Pictured: Students Emilio and Edgar, Mr. Perez and Mr. Schlarmann.
Full article below:
LAKE SKINNER, Calif.—The nation’s largest solar-powered boat competition wrapped up today with boats built and raced by students from 39 high schools throughout Southern California in claiming the top awards at Metropolitan Water District’s 10th annual Solar Cup™.
The schools represented teams from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties participating in the seven-month program in which students build, equip and race the 16-foot, single-seat canoes powered only by the sun.
The program is a team-based educational competition that allows students to apply their skills in math, physics, engineering and communications, while learning about Southern California’s water resources, resource management, conservation and alternative energy development.
The three-day event was held at Metropolitan’s Lake Skinner in the Temecula Valley of southwestern Riverside County. Canyon High School of Orange County captured first place in the veterans division and South El Monte High School took the top prize in the rookie division.
“The last three days have provided all of the students a range of hands-on experiences, from problem-solving to teamwork to sportsmanship, that they can call upon as they continue to pursue their academic goals and their careers. All of this year’s Solar Cup participants brought their best to this year’s competition,” said Randy Record, vice chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Directors, who represents the Eastern Municipal Water District on Metropolitan’s
board.
Also at the awards ceremony was Metropolitan director Glen Peterson, who represents the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. Directors Sylvia Ballin, who represents the city of San Fernando, and Michael Camacho, who represents the Inland Empire Utilities Agency also attended the event.
Teams completed a series of qualifying events Friday (May 18) supported by Metropolitan staff and a technical advisory team from Harvey Mudd and Occidental colleges to ensure boats met rules and were safe and seaworthy. Saturday (May 19), the teams attached solar-collection panels to the boats for two, 90-minute 1.4-kilometer endurance races.
Today, the heavy solar-collection panels were removed and, using solar energy stored in batteries, raced down a 200-meter stretch—like drag racing on water. The 2012 Solar Cup program began last fall when Metropolitan’s member agencies announced their school sponsorships. Teams are sponsored by their local water agencies and other organizations to equip the crafts with solar panels, batteries, steering and related systems.
Metropolitan provided teams with identical kits of marine-grade plywood to build the hull. While all teams must build a new boat and equip it, returning teams were allowed to use equipment from previous boats.
Following are the trophies and awards presented today. Complete Solar Cup scores will be posted as soon as possible at Metropolitan’s Web site, mwdh2o.com.
Veteran Teams, Cities, sponsoring member/local agency:
First Place—Canyon High School, Anaheim, Anaheim Public Utilities
Hottest-Looking Boat—La Cañada High School, La Cañada Flintridge, Foothill Municipal Water District
Rookie Division--Teams, Cities, sponsoring member/local agency:
First Place—South El Monte High School, Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
Hottest-Looking Boat—Santana High School, Rowland Heights, Three Valleys Municipal Water District
Bart Bezyack Memorial Spirit of Solar Cup Trophy [sportsmanship]—Elsinore High
School,Wildomar, Western Municipal Water District
Teamwork Award—Centennial High School, Corona, Western Municipal Water District