TMCnet News
Scripps Ranch, San Diego High School-SciTech Students Build Solar-Powered Boats to Race in May 14-16 Solar Cup at Lake SkinnerLOS ANGELES --(Business Wire)-- The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: WHO: Teams of students at Scripps Ranch High School, San Diego High School-SciTech, become first San Diego County participants in Metropolitan Water District solar-powered boat program the nation's largest. WHAT: Teams are currently equipping canoe-like hulls with solar-collection panels, motors, batteries, wiring, steering WHERE: Scripps Ranch High School, 10410 Treena St., contact Mena Abdo, (858) 621-9020; San Diego High School-SciTech, 1405 Park Blvd., contact Jon Sarantopoulos, (619) 744-3821 BACKGROUND: Solar Cup is a seven-month-long program in which teams of high school students equip and race solar-powered boats. The San Diego teams will race the boats against entries from 34 other Southern California high schools May 14-16 at Metropolitan's Lake Skinner, near Temecula. The schools are sponsored by the San Diego County Water Authority. Scripps Ranch HS is funded by Blue Chip Machine and Fabrication. San Diego High School-SciTech is funded by San Diego Miramar College Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy Center, Johnson & Johnson, and San Diego High Foundation. Metropolitan provides each team with a kit of pre-cut marine-grade plywood from which they build the 16-foot-long single-seat hull. Using $4,000 supplied by sponsors, the teams equip the boats with solar-collection panels, batteries, wiring, steering and other equipment. WEB SITE: Video and photos from the 2009 Solar Cup event; roster of teams and sponsors; press release; rules, and more are at mwdh2o.com, under Education on home page. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs. |
