The Solar Car Challenge zoomed into Texas Motor Speedway this week, featuring 32 teams from 12 states. North Texas represented 11 of the 32 teams, including Fort Worth Country Day (FWCD) and Harmony School of Innovation in Fort Worth.
The Challenge features four days of racing to see which team’s car goes the greatest distance. The winner is determined by whichever car drives the most miles accumulated over the four-day period, while facing challenges like car breakdowns and weather conditions.
Blast from the past
Solar Car Challenge was created by Dr. Lehman Marks, who started building solar cars in 1989 with a group of high school students — nearly a decade before STEM programs were widely offered in school.“There was very little focus on engineering and technology at the high school level,” Marks said.
The Challenge itself began in 1993 and has worked with 75,000+ students over the last 20 years.
This year’s Challenge
Russet American Racing, from Grace Lutheran High School in Pocatello, Idaho had the strongest performance — but the Fort Worth teams held their own. Falcon EV, the team from FWCD, placed third, and The Stripes, from Harmony School of Innovation, placed in the top six.
Developing life skills
“Students taking part in our education program are 23% more likely to enter an engineering profession than any other STEM program because of the huge amount of commitment and dedication needed to complete the project,” Marks said.
Marks noted that in 1993 when the competition began, electric vehicles (EVs) were “antiques left over from the early 1900s.” Now, as EVs are part of mainstream car-purchasing, the program helps aspiring engineers develop know-how that will carry them into the automotive industry.
Getting involved
On Saturday, Sept. 14 at DFW Marriott and Golf Club, Solar Car Challenge will host a Teams Workshop for anyone interested in the 2025 race. Check out sponsorship opportunities to support the engineers of tomorrow.
