A sun-sational three-peat

Girrawheen Senior High School students have claims to knowing more about solar-powered cars than their West Australian peers.

A team from Girrawheen recently placed first in the Perth Energy Solar Car Challenge, a feat the northern suburbs school has now achieved three years in a row.

The school entered five teams in this year’s competition and all qualified for the two-day grand final, held at UWA at the end of October.

Teams raced their cars around a 90m, figure-of-eight track, to determine the fastest car. Vehicles also needed to carry an uncooked egg, which had to survive the race.

Remarkably, Girrawheen claimed first and third places, further qualifying both for the National Solar Car Challenge, which will take place in Tasmania later this month.

Charan Pabla, Girrawheen’s head of learning area for science and STEM club coordinator, praised the hard work and dedication of the students competing in the challenge.

“They are interested, they carry out their own research, come up with designs, materials, and work on those designs, tweaking them as problems arise,” she said.

“They are here at eight in the morning, before school, and during their recess and lunch times on most days, then after school on Thursdays.

“Countless number of hours have been devoted by them.”

A popular event, the Perth Energy Solar Car Challenge attracts teams of students from public and private high schools from across the state.

The challenge involves students designing, building, and racing model solar cars adapted from a basic kit. Teams can also make their own components or use recycled parts.

Teams can work on their entry starting in Term 2, when the challenge commences.

Find out more about the event through its website.