Nineteen South West Schools headed to Bunbury for a science-based competition unlike any other.
Year 6 and Year 8 students put their skills to the test during the 2019 Synergy Schools Solar Challenge, held at Newton Moore Senior High School on Wednesday, March 13.
Students were tasked with designing and constructing multiple solar-powered, standardised kit cars.
Teams then raced the vehicles on a specifically-designed track over 12 rounds.
The Year 6 division saw Cowaramup Primary School claim the top prize, with Bunbury Primary School - Carter Ridgway (11), Angus Briginshaw (11), Elise Fry (11), and Izaac Slater (10) - finishing second.
Bunbury Catholic College (Marist) cruised to victory in the Year 8 competition.
Bunbury Primary School and Bunbury Catholic College will travel to Perth's Optus Stadium for the grand final on April 9.
"We were happy to finish in second place," Briginshaw said.
"We learned new things and got to represent the school."
Science Teachers' Association WA chief executive officer John Clarke congratulated all of the schools for taking part.
He said the program helped students to learn more about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths.
"It's re-engaging kids with the excitement of STEM subjects. It gives them the ability to work in teams, problem solve, and develop their own solutions, in an exercise using renewable solar energy," he said.
The number of Synergy Schools Solar Challenge schools has increased from 64 in 2017 to 156 in 2019.
Almost 6000 students have participated in this year's program.
Visit solarchallenge.net.au for more details.
Read more:
