2008 JSS Results

"Each year the Junior Solar Sprint gets bigger and better. We are thrilled by the creativity and enthusiasm of so many students, and excited that several now have the opportunity to participate in the regional event," said Nancy Nylen of CET. "It’s great to see students and teachers working together on projects, and then to see their family and friends cheer them on at the Solar Sprint event. We owe a big thanks to our generous sponsors for making this possible."

Nessacus's Christian Pickwell leaps up in celebration after his team's car won the second to last heat for speed. In the end his car Flabbergasted the rest of the field!

This year, the threat of thunderstorms forced the event indoors where students replaced solar panels with batteries to power their vehicles. "It was a great event, despite the weather," said coordinator Cynthia Grippaldi of CET. "The students had a lot of fun and learned firsthand that solar vehicles need battery back-up to run on cloudy days and at night."

CET coordinated the event with support from Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Gas Company, Energy Federation, Inc., Western Massachusetts Electric Company, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association and the U.S. Department of Energy. Additional contributors were Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, South Street Servicenter, Bob’s Elm Street Service, Bartlett ’s Orchards, Morningside Bakery and Super Stop and Shop.

Students participating in the JSS came from BArT Charter Public School (Adams), Clarksburg Elementary School, Four Rivers Charter Public School (Greenfield), Gabriel Abbott Memorial School (Florida), Herberg Middle School and Reid Middle School (Pittsfield), Nessacus Middle School (Dalton), St. Agnes School (Dalton), and Richmond Consolidated School, as well as from two home-school teams.

Teams raced in double elimination heats, and the winning car, Flabbergasted, went hub to hub up against Our Team for speed! There was nothing flabbergasted about the winning speed team though!

Prizes were awarded for speed, innovation, craftsmanship, and technical merit. Berkshire JSS winners are now eligible to attend the regional JSS held in early June in Springfield, where they will compete with students from Maine to Pennsylvania.

What's a great way to engage girls and boys in design, engineering, math and construction? The Junior Solar Sprint! Reid's Keiana West considers the possibilities for her team's entry Thunderbolt 96, in a brief patch of sunlight coming in through the door.

We look forward to seeing more fantastic cars next year! If you're interested in starting a JSS team at your school, please contact Cynthia at (413) 445-4556 ext. 25.