Road Atlanta hosting largest solar sprint showdown in state

CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN - Road Atlanta on Friday will host what is billed as the largest solar sprint showdown in the state.

Students from 15 area middle schools will compete on speed/performance and design of solar-powered model cars. Participating schools are:

Banks County Middle School

Barrow County: Winder Barrow Middle School

Gwinnett County: Creekland, Dacula, Frank Osborne, North Gwinnett, Richard Hull and Sweetwater

Hall County: Chestatee, East Hall, North Hall and West Hall

Jackson County: East Jackson and Kings Bridge

Madison County Middle School

The purpose of the Junior Solar Sprint is to teach principles of energy and science in an atmosphere that is fun and exciting. The goals include stimulating interest in new technology among young students; encouraging them to accept these technologies and incorporate them in their education, consumer practices and career plans; presenting science concepts in a fun and exciting way; stimulating creative thinking through a hands-on design project; and helping students to experience the satisfaction of creating a working machine and the excitement of entering it in a competition.

It is sponsored by Jackson EMC, Sol America, Green Power EMC, Road Atlanta, Skip Barber Racing School, Right Choice, First Century Energy and PPT Promotions.

The Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) program was developed by Green Power EMC and is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Midwest Research Institute (MRI), Battelle and Bechtel and managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).