Congratulations to Santana's Solar Boat Team of 2014!
Captains: Brenda Franco and Luz Jiminez
Crew: Matthew Lane, Gloria Rojas, Maria Valasquez, Mariah Guzman, Stephanie Hernandez, Vidal Ramos
See more pictures in our photo gallery!
The nation’s largest solar-powered boat competition concluded May 18 in Lake Skinner with boats built and raced by students from 40 teams at Metropolitan Water District’s 12th annual Solar Cup™.
The teams, including Santana High School, represent Metropolitan’s six-county, 5,200 square-mile service area that includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. Solar Cup is a school-year-long program in which students build, equip and race the 16-foot, single-seat canoes powered only by the sun.
The Solar Cup 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.
“Those participating in Solar Cup 2014 displayed the hard work, skill and enthusiasm that is a hallmark of the program,” said Randy Record, Chairman of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors. “Over the last three days, these students have demonstrated they have learned the applied skills this competition fosters and cultivates.” Added Metropolitan General Manager Jeffrey Kightlinger: “The kids learn so much about conserving natural resources, problem-solving and teamwork. Those skills will serve them well as they continue to complete their educations and start their careers.”
Also at the event were Metropolitan directors Michael Camacho, of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Glen Peterson of Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and John Morris of the City of San Marino.
Teams completed a series of qualifying events Friday (May 16) 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 as well as scores of volunteers. Saturday (May 17) the teams attached solar-collection panels to the boats for two, 90-minute 1-mile 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 2014 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.