Junior Solar Sprint/Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car Competitions
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory hosts the U.S. Department of Energy's Junior Solar Sprint/Hydrogen Fuel Cell (JSS/HFC) Car Competitions. Middle School teams from all over the Colorado Region participate in this fun, educational and exciting event. Teams work together building solar and/or hydrogen fuel cell cars with guidance from a parent or teacher coach to compete in race and design categories. A "Spirit Award" is also presented to the team recognized for good sportsmanship.
Building of solar and hydrogen fuel cell cars for the JSS/HFC car competitions require skills in both math and science. The primary goals of the JSS/HFC program, is to generate enthusiasm for science and engineering at a crucial stage in the development of young people. The competition also helps improve students' understanding of scientific concepts and renewable energy technologies; and encourages young people to consider technical careers at an early age.
Rules and Regulations
This page contains the rules for competing in the Junior Solar Sprint and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Competition. Included in the rules are vehicle and track specifications.
Sources for JSS and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Kits and Accessories
From the suppliers listed here, you can order kits containing solar and hydrogen fuel cells modules and electric motors, surplus motors, and gears.
Publications
Some of the following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.
Classroom Investigations (PDF 525 KB)
Teachers, mentors, and their students can use this publication to explore the components of model solar cars. It includes investigations and experiments to improve car performance.So... You Want to Build a Model Solar Car (PDF 356 KB)
Written for teachers and students who want to participate in JSS, this document contains teacher background on photovoltaics, classroom activities for measuring solar cell output and understanding transmission components, tips on the vehicle construction process, hints for transmission design, formulas for calculating vehicle performance, and design considerations.Inside Tips on Parts and Construction (PDF 192 KB)
This booklet helps students identify possible options for obtaining parts to build the vehicle's drive train and chassis and provides formulas for determining appropriate gear ratios and wheel sizes.An Introduction to Building a Model Solar Car: Student Guide for the Junior Solar Sprint Competition (PDF 555 KB)
This guide assists students in the selection of components and materials for creating model solar cars. The publication identifies potential problems based on components chosen for chassis, wheels and bearings, power source, transmission and body shell and discusses possible solutions.Teacher and Mentor Guide (PDF 232 KB)
Suggestions to teachers and mentors for integrating JSS activities into their classroom curriculums are presented here. Useful background information about the role of a technical mentor, recommendations for teaching "hands-on" design in classroom groups, a description of the engineering design process, and an eight-week lesson plan can be gleaned from this guide.Washington Teacher Lesson Materials
Useful course materials on building solar and hydrogen fuel cell cars.How To Build A Junior Solar Sprint Car (PowerPoint 3.1 MB)
Learn how to build a JSS car step by step.
Hosting a Junior Solar Sprint/Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Junior Solar Sprint or Hydrogen Fuel Cell Event can be hosted by individuals, organizations, or schools. Hosts coordinate regional competitions by contacting middle/junior high schools; assigning technical mentors to the students and teachers; and planning, organizing, and conducting races.
Regional Junior Solar Sprint/Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car Competition Sites
Regional Host Sites (PDF 107 KB)
Publications
Host Site Guide Book (PDF 3.4 MB)
If you are interested in being a host, here is a guidebook.
Contact
For more information about the JSS/HFC competitions contact Linda Lung at linda_lung@nrel.gov or (303) 275-3044.
