INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 80

POLICY CODE: AEB

TO: Superintendents of Schools and School Principals

FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner of Education

DATE: February 27, 2007

RE: Junior Solar Sprint Model Solar Car Competition

I have been asked by the Maine Public Utilities Commission to share the following information with each of you as there may be some interest in this competition among your faculty and middle school students. Good luck to all those who chose to participate!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friends of the Junior Solar Sprint:

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN! Below is updated information about this year’s program. An order form can be found at:

http://www.maine.gov/education/edletrs/2007/ilet/07ilet080form.rtf

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

The Junior Solar Sprint Model Solar Car Competition is intended for middle school students. We appreciate that schools define middle school grades differently and are flexible with that, as long as the car building challenge is developmentally within reach of the kids. Also, we are supportive of the participation of younger students from multiage learning groups (such as home schools, alternative schools, etc.) if the children are engaged and able. As far as ordering materials, we will continue to offer both the Solar World and Pitsco solar panels. The more expensive Pitsco panel is conceded to be the more durable, although the Solar World panel has held up pretty well. SCHOOLS NEW TO THE PROGRAM (or veteran schools with three or fewer panels) WILL BE ABLE TO PURCHASE UP TO FIVE CAR KITS AT A REDUCED RATE. Also, new schools should be aware that it is not necessary to purchase a solar panel for each car team (2-4 students), as panels are removable and can be loaned to racing vehicles. (Call or email to discuss this further.) It is vital, however, to have one motor for each team (and a few others, just in case). While it is important to have the kids scrounge for construction stuff---chassis materials, wheels, axles, gears, pulleys--- you should realistically plan on purchasing commercial materials as well. PITSCO www.shop-pitsco.com , KELVIN www.kelvin.com, and THE SCIENCE SOURCE www.thesciencesource.com are possibilities.

Important Dates

MID MARCH-MID APRIL

Materials Delivered to Schools

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 10AM-3PM

Annual FREE teacher workshop on car building at the Owls Head

Transportation Museum---HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for new teachers

MAY

Qualifying races around the State

SATURDAY, JUNE 2

State Championship at Owls Head

SUNDAY, JUNE 10

Northeastern Championship, Springfield, Massachusetts

Have fun………and thank you for your involvement with this program.

Sincerely,

Peter Zack, Jr.
Director, Maine Energy Education Program
(207) 625-7833
meep@psouth.net