Sweetwater Solar Sprint
Sweetwater Solar Sprint
Welcome!
🌟 Get ready for an electrifying extravaganza that’s set to light up minds and ignite imaginations across our district! Introducing the Solar Spring Competition – where science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) collide in a dazzling display of innovation and creativity!
💡 Dive into the world of solar energy like never before as students unleash their potential through hands-on learning and collaborative problem-solving. From designing and building solar-powered contraptions to testing them in real-world scenarios, this competition promises an adrenaline-fueled journey through the realms of STEAM education.
🚀 But wait, the excitement doesn’t stop there! With the unwavering support of our esteemed board members, Superintendent, principals, teachers, and generous sponsors, this event is primed to reach new heights of inspiration and achievement.
👩🔬 Our mission? To not only engage parents and students but to set ablaze the passion for innovation within every young mind, paving the way for a future generation of STEM pioneers. Together, let’s spark the fire of curiosity and propel our students toward the boundless possibilities of 21st-century education!
The 8th Annual Sweetwater Solar Sprint
We are thrilled to invite you to the annual Solar Sprint Competition, hosted at Montgomery Middle School on Saturday, May 18th, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. This event promises a day filled with excitement, innovation, and friendly competition as middle schools from our district gather to showcase their solar-powered cars. Up to 10 middle schools will be participating in this exhilarating event, where students have been diligently preparing and gearing up to put their engineering and teamwork skills to the test. They will compete in building and racing their solar cars, demonstrating their creativity, ingenuity, and commitment to sustainability.
The competition will feature various award categories, recognizing the outstanding achievements of our talented participants. These categories include:
- SPEED 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place, “The Race”
- ENGINEERING 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place, “Best Design”
- CREATIVITY 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place, “Most Innovative”
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to support our young innovators and champions of sustainability. Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 18th, and get ready to be inspired by the future of renewable energy!
We look forward to seeing you at the 2024 Solar Sprint Competition!
The 7th Annual Sweetwater Solar Sprint
2023 Solar Sprint Competition will be hosted at Otay Ranch High School on Saturday, May 27th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. District middle schools are prepping and getting ready for this event. up to 10 middle Schools will participate and compete in building, and racing their solar cars. The awards categories are:
- SPEED 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place, “The Race”
- ENGINEERING 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place, “Best Design”
- CREATIVITY 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place, “Most Innovative”
Flyer: 2023 Solar Sprint Competition
“Solar energy, clean energy for a better tomorrow”
The 6th Annual Sweetwater Solar Sprint
Special thanks to Montgomery Middle School Principal Ms. Inzunza and staff for hosting 2021-22 year Solar event. Everyone was very supportive and encouraging from the beginning to end. We also want to thank and appreciate the leadership of our District Board of Trustee Mr. Segura and Superintendent Dr. Aguirre who value the program’s strategic worth of curriculum to application approach.
On behalf of the Sweetwater Union High School District, a huge appreciation to our sponsors: IBEW 569, Baker Electric, and NECA for their contribution with expertise and the resources.
CONGRATULATIONS and AWARDS!
Most Innovative
1st Place Most Innovative (MOM), Isabela Rios
2nd Place Most Innovative (LVA), Eronique Bastien
3nd Place Most Innovative (ELM), James Hyde, Michael Rivera, Nico Wise
Best Design
1st Place Best Design (RDM), Rylan Lezarda , Matthew Salvador, Briana Rangel Sanchez
2nd Place Best Design (ELM), Lancelot Ballesta Parra, Micah Pinkney
3rd Place Best Design (MOM) Aldrey Sanchez
The Race
1st Place The Race Award (MOM), Eliana Tavares
2nd place The Race Award (MOM), Aldrey Sanchez
3rd place The Race Award (MOM), Leona Martinez
Participating Schools
| School | Coach |
| BVM | Beatriz Velosa |
| CPM | Carla Dillon |
| CVM | Tina Tom |
| ELM | Tara Taylor, Jose Macias |
| GJH | Miguel Cervantes |
| HTM | No Coach |
| LVA | Ana Garcia |
| MOM | Ignacio Ramirez |
| MVA | Guadalupe Trejo |
| NCM | No Coach |
| RDR | Caitlin Davis |
| SOM | Erin Barron |
Thank you to all our sponsors, teachers, and the district leadhership support. Special thanks goes to Nick Segura, SUHSD Booard President, and our Superintendent Dr. Aguirre.
Our Sponsors:
The 5th Annual Sweetwater Solar Sprint
THANK YOU! 2021 Sweetwater Solar Sprint solar kits were sponsored by our partners from Baker-Electric. Additionally, we appreciate the leadership of Nicolas Segura, SUHSD School Board President for making this event a reality. Thank you Mr. Jose Vargas, Assistant Principal for your coordination and logistics. THANK YOU to all Solar Coaches (Teachers) and all event volunteers.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Category: RACE 🏆
1st: HTM #56 – Daniel Hernandez
2nd: MOM #86 – Ricardo Ponce
3rd: MOM #73 – Kareem Mendoza
Category: Creativity 🏆
1st: RDR #62 – Sebastian Ahumada
2nd: MOM #2 – Eli Gutierrez
3rd: SOM#12 – Donna Rodriguez
Category: Best Design 🏆
1st: RDR#32 – Jaron Perez
2nd: MOM #86 – Ricardo Ponce
3rd: SOM #45 – John Smith
🏎️ 🏎️ 🏎️ 🏎️ 🏎️ 🏎️ 🏎️ 🏎️ 🏎️ 🏎️
What is Sweetwater Solar Sprint?
It is a middle school age program that promotes science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). Students work in teams to design, build and test solar powered model cars. This project is designed to support the instruction of STEAM in categories such as alternative fuels, engineering design and aerodynamics.
A CAR RACE is the culmination of the students’ work. At the competition, students race their solar powered inventions against other teams for the fastest, more reliable, and good looking car titles!
Did you know that the sun is an alternative source of renewable energy?
This type of event was originally created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the 1980’s. It is also known as “Junior Solar Sprint (JSS)”.
In the past, Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) middle schools have participated in the San Diego Solar Sprint. An event sponsored by the San Diego Electrical Training Center and supported by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 569.
Dr. Melanie Brown
STEAM Program Coordinator
Phone: (619) 796-7700
Email: Melanie.Brown@sweetwaterschools.org
@SUHSD_STEAM