By Rick Hansen - General Manager
Three Valleys Municipal Water District
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A total of 34 high schools – six more than last year – took part in the fourth annual three-day solar cup event held Friday, May 19 through Sunday, May 21 at Lake Skinner in Riverside County. The annual event—the only one of its kind in the state—is sponsored by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) and its member agencies. The purpose of this event is to help teach high school students engineering and problem-solving skills, and how to better manage and protect water resources. Three Valleys Municipal Water District sponsored a total of eight teams: Charter Oak High Claremont High Diamond Bar High+ Diamond Ranch High+ Garey High Nogales High* San Dimas High Santana High+ +Teams cosponsored by Walnut Valley Water District *Team cosponsored by Rowland Water District Events included sprint races (covering 200 meters), endurance races and a variety of technical and written displays. Student teams began building their Solar Cup boats last year in December, from kits of pre-cut marine plywood provided by MWD. |
The next step was equipping their boat with solar panels, batteries, and other necessary pieces of equipment. When completed, the boats are about 16-feet long and weigh about 50 pounds. Fully equipped, the maximum weight allowed, including the skipper, is 451 pounds. Throughout the school year, reports are submitted detailing the team’s progress. Approximately 700 students participated, and hundreds more attended as spectators. This event has grown to be a top-notch educational event that provides students, (and teachers and parents) an opportunity to “learn by doing”. The standings for all teams can be found at www.mwdh 2o.com. As a second year entry, Diamond Bar High School took first place overall and first place in the sprint race event. Although, I am pleased and excited that Diamond Bar did so well, I cannot adequately express the overwhelming success of this program – for EVERYONE who participates. All students, teachers and parents should be congratulated for their efforts, hard work and talents. It is, without a doubt in my mind, one of the most positive educational endeavors I have had the opportunity with which be involved – due to ALL of the participants. |