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Photo courtesy of Stefano Paltero,
North American Solar Challenge
Build a Solar Car Workbook
Race your friends with a solar car (left)
"The Build a Solar Car workbook comes with everything you need to build a cool solar race car and is full of illuminating solar science facts. Check out the wheels, axles, motors, wires and a genuine one-volt solar cell. No glue, no nails, no tape and (best of all) no batteries required." Here are some examples of pages from the workbook below. NASCAR watch out!
Amphibious Solar Car Kit
Triple Action Solar Car Kit
Independent parts makes for
triple action
projects... a marvelous beginning educational science project for ages 9
and up.
Specifications:
Body size: 14.5 x 22.5 x 4.5cm. Power source: 1) Solar cell
battery output Power / 1.4V - 350mA (max) 2) Dry cell battery - "AA" x 1
pc (not included) DC motor: Rated voltage / 1.9V; Rated
ampere / 145mA.
A multiple function switch (solar [1.4 volt, 350mA] or battery) allows
this kit to be energized day or night, indoors or outdoors.
Learn what materials solar cells are made from and also the scientific
characteristics of solar cells. Turbo 3000 Solar Car Kit
-
This kit includes
completely safe experiments with series and parallel circuits,
high-powered miniature light bulb and more! As seen at the
American International
TOY FAIR in
New York. No
big tools are required. Some of its transparent parts allow you to
view and study the inner mechanics of the product. The kit engages
learning about electricity, circuits, air power, solar power (included),
friction, motion, simple machines, and physics. Easy to assemble.Solar panel info: size is 4 5/16" x 2 3/8" - output is 1.4v 350mA (max). Can be used in other projects by exposing the panel to direct sun. Lead wires are included.
Fuel Cell CarX7 Model Kit
This Fuel Cell Car X7 kit has been made more accessible to users, both in terms of content and price. There is a new manual focused more on building and designing a fuel cell car, rather than the comprehensive lesson on the science of fuel cells and solar cells. The minimum age has been lowered and easy to follow directions have been geared to a younger audience.
The kit has been optimized for simplicity and ease of use over thorough experimentation. With its new focus, some parts have become unnecessary and have been removed to reduce the cost.
Look for the more sophisticated Fuel Cell Car Kit on the Solar Model Kit website page...
Fuel Cell Car and Experimental Kit
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Automobile manufacturers are already experimenting successfully with this technology and it is widely believed that fuel cells will power automobiles and many electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones, in the near future. With this unique kit, you can build your own experimental reversible fuel cell car to learn more about this energy source.
The 96-page, full color Experiment Manual offers over 30 experiments, including: How to build a solar-powered car. Effects of direct and indirect radiation. Characteristics of a solar module.
Electrolysis and its effect on water. Oxy-hydrogen test. How to construct and load a reversible fuel cell. Decomposition of water in the fuel cell. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of gas in a fuel cell. How efficient is electrolysis? How light influences electrolysis. Solar electrolysis. Fuel cell-powered car.
Contents: complete reversible fuel cell (hydrocycle system) • Wire • Motor • Chassis • Axle • Gas collector • 4 Wheels • Solar panel with support • Syringe • Tube • Digital multimeter • Test tube • Protective goggles • Labels • Bag of small parts for fuel cell • Bag of small electronic parts • Experiment Manual
Physics Science Workshop Kit
- Physics Workshop brings physics to the forefront, with 36 building projects and subsequent experiments. Learn the fundamental laws of mechanics as you build windmills, cranes, sail cars, robots, hammering machines, centrifuges, gears, levers, screws, inclined planes, pulleys, wheels and axles, building blocks, complex models, scales, and dozens of other machines. And don't forget simple machines, gears, levers, screws, inclined planes, pulleys, wheels, and axles, the building blocks of more complex models. This hands-on approach makes learning fun because the principles of physics are demonstrated right in front of you.
Appropriately, 2005 was "The World Year of Physics"TM. (marking the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein's miraculous year, in which he published three papers that have since influenced all of modern physics). See www.physics2005.org for other information.Solaro - closeout sale
Solaro Closeout sale... Build up to 7 different types of creative working solar models -- the Blimp, Solar- Mobil, Radio-Telescope, Helicopter, Ultralight Glider, Solar-boat, and Fan Boat. No big tools required from ages 4 up.
For serious solar solar car builders only...
Quick Clicks
You can build a specialized solar car "from
scratch" and race it in a national JSS competition!
- don't forget, your car needs to be a built according to the NREL
competition guidelines...
...see the JSS info to the right for more
details.
Or, organize a race of your own with parents!
...talk to your
teachers at your school or the coach at the park...
Are you ready for...
The Junior Solar Car Sprint - JSS CompetitionsReady for a race? In this annual sprint you need to build and race your solar model car (like the soap box derby races...) See below for information on buying parts for the car plus the solar panels needed for this race (click on Build Your Car).
- Note: the car kits above and on earlier pages are not eligible for use in the Junior Solar Sprint competition... You need to build a car according to specifications of the U.S. National Renewable Energy Labs (NREL - part of the U.S. Dept. of Energy - who plans and organizes the races*. Photo courtesy NREL
From the NREL website: The U.S. Department of Energy's NREL sponsors a Junior Solar Car Sprint (this year Hydrogen Fuel Cell cars have been added too. Middle School teams from all over the Colorado Region participate in this fun, educational and exciting event. Teams work together building solar and/or hydrogen fuel cell cars with guidance from a parent or teacher coach to compete in race and design categories. A "Spirit Award" is also presented to the team recognized for good sportsmanship. You can host a race by contacting the NREL. Building of solar cars for the Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) car competitions require skills in model-building, math and science. The primary goal of the JSS program, is to generate enthusiasm for science and engineering at a crucial stage in the development of young people. The competition also helps improve students' understanding of scientific concepts and renewable energy technologies; and encourages young people to consider technical careers at an early age. More info: contact the Solar Sprint at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Labs (via website ww.nrel.gov/education/jss_hfc.html -- not a link.... you need to input yourself-- - or call (303) 275-3044). Below is some of the info you can find out about: Rules and RegulationsThis page contains basic rules for setting up a competition in the Junior Solar Sprint. Included in the rules are vehicle and track specifications. Sources for JSS (and Hydrogen Fuel Cell) Kits and AccessoriesFrom the suppliers listed here, you can order kits containing small and solar hydrogen fuel cells modules and electric motors, surplus motors, and gears. Publications
Hosting a Junior Solar SprintJunior Solar Sprint Event can be hosted by individuals, organizations, or schools. Hosts coordinate regional competitions by contacting middle/junior high schools; assigning technical mentors to the students and teachers; and planning, organizing, and conducting races. Publications
* - The above info is from the non-profit U.S. National Renewable Energy Labs who hosts the Junior Solar sprints competition. (Note: their website is www(dot)nrel.gov/education/jss_hfc.htm - it's not a link.... you need to input it on your own - or telephone the Labs and get info from the office at (303) 275-3044). Used by permission. Build your own car car parts for building a Junior Solar Sprint Car Junior Solar Sprint Car Parts Kit - $29.99Use these parts to build your solar car... Parts have been approved for use by NREL JSS guidelines. Includes solar electric panel (3 volts @ 3 watts), electric motor with lead wires, motor mounting bracket with screws, gears for motor shaft in three sizes. Does not include car body, axle shaft, wheels/tires or spur gears that some students like to buy custom in a hobby shop (see below). To purchase, e-mail us with your order and will answer back with the details.
Junior Solar Sprint -Accessory Bag $3.99Accessory bag contains 2
axle shafts, 4 wheels/tires, 2 spur gears (to use with above
kit if you don't want to buy from hobby shop).
How to Build a Solar Car: ww.nrel.gov/education/jss_hfc.html (you need to input the link yourself) - or call NREL at (303) 275-3044
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