Introduction

Event Name
The event is known as the ‘Western Power Solar Model Boat Challenge’ and is conducted annually.

Aims and Objectives
The aim of the event is to encourage student teamwork, enterprise and learning using an action based learning model as students work together to research science and engineering principles relating to solar energy, photovoltaic cells and optimization of energy efficiency, by designing, constructing, testing and racing solar model boats.

The objective is to develop a boat that will most effectively travel along a guide wire suspended above the water, from one end of a 10 metre pool to the other in the shortest possible time. Two or three boats will race each other at the same time to eventually determine a winner.

Entry Registration
All primary schools interested in competing in the Western Power Solar Model Boat Challenge must complete and submit a Challenge Registration Form.

Click here to download the Boat Registration Form.

Number of Boats
Schools are eligible to enter up to and including two boats per school. (One boat per team of students.)

Teams
Each team will be expected to be comprised of at least two students (desirable for starting and catching the boat), with a maximum of four students from each team being admitted into the ‘pit’ area.

Team Posters
All entries will be required to present a laminated or contact coated A2 Poster (size 420mm x 594mm and may be two A3 posters taped together) documenting the design and development of their boat to the organisers prior to scrutineering. Therefore it is recommended that students keep a journal of their work to facilitate the design and creation of the poster.

Representation at the Australian-International Event
Western Power, as the Western Australian Solar Model Boat Challenge organiser, reserves the right to nominate which competing boat(s) will represent the State in the Australian-International Model Solar Boat Challenge.

The winning school will be invited to represent Western Australia in the Australian-International Solar Model Boat Challenge. If the winner is unable to represent Western Australia, Western Power will approach the school that finished next in line and go down the list accordingly until the position is filled.

Next Section >> Interpretations of Event Rules