Solar Car Team - Front Row: Heather Lytle, Kevin Wissink, Michael Becker, and Austin Hunt; Middle: Evan Hunt, Silas Hill, Gabe Bezner, Clayton Odom, and Sue Gallo; Back: Bary Willcox, Cameron Mutis, David Qian, Brayden Dragoo, Henry Harshfield, Cole Brolick, and Brent Dragoo. Not pictured: John Brolick
Only three high schoolsbron the planet are competing in Australia's World Solar Challenge, and Liberty Christian School will be in the race. Liberty Christian’s SolisbrBellator (Sun Warrior) team departs October 8 for the 1,800-mile race acrossbrthe outback from Darwin to Adelaide.
“Being a part of a racebron a different continent is a phenomenal opportunity to learn the culture andbrthe global aspect of education,” said Dr. Brent Dragoo, teacher and sponsor, inbra press release. “It will be invaluable to simply be around university teams,brlearn about the organizations there, and see the construction of the other carsbrcompeting.”
Teams from as far away asbrJapan, Turkey, Germany, South Korea, China, Singapore, United Kingdom, Poland,brHungry, Chile, Belgium, South Africa, Malaysia and Thailand will be competingbrin the race.
“Our solar car programbrcontinues to thrive,” said Dr. Dragoo. “In addition to hands-on academics,brstudents are growing in their confidence, decision-making ability andbrleadership skills.”
The World Solar CarbrChallenge began in 1982 when solar pioneers Hans Tholstrup and Larry Perkinsbrembarked on a quest that would see them drive a home-built solar car, QuietbrAchiever, across Australia from west to east. Inspired by this achievementbrand his own pioneering vision, Hans urged others to explore the boundaries ofbrsun-powered transport. And so the World Solar Challenge was born.
Inaugurated in 1987 withbrpioneer sponsor, the South Australian Tourism Commission, the World SolarbrChallenge continues to showcase the development of advanced automotivebrtechnology and promote alternatives to conventional vehicle engines.
Today, while solar carsbrtest the ultimate boundaries of energy efficiency, they also provide incrediblebrinsight into the capabilities of everyday vehicle technology. These innovationsbrare at the heart of all electric cars, whether that power comes from hydrogenbrfuel cells, hybrid engines or even fully-electric commuter cars that draw powerbrfrom solar cells on the garage roof – they all use the technology that isbrcontinually honed to perfection in the World Solar Challenge.
Utilizing no more thanbrsix square meters of solar panels, some of the world's brightest young mindsbrare on track to develop the most efficient electric vehicles possible. Andbrevery two years, teams from leading international universities and technicalbrinstitutes, together with private entrepreneurs, come together Down Under tobrtest and promote the ultimate synergy of nature, motion, and innovation.
“We are extremelybrgrateful to our Liberty administrators who believe with us that the opportunitybrto be part of a global race has learning implications that simply can't bebrlearned in the classroom,” Dr. Dragoo added. “The students making this trip arebrdefinitely in for the adventure of a lifetime.
“We couldn't be makingbrthis trip without help from our sponsors, which include Peterbilt, CoServ, andbrnumerous Liberty families.”
Along with Dr. Dragoo,brScience Department Chair Heather Lytle, teachers Sue Gallo, Evan Hunt, and BarybrWillcox, and parent John Brolick will travel on the trip. Student and teambrmanager Clayton Odom will also participate, along with fellow classmates GabebrBezner, Michael Becker, Cole Brolick, Brayden Dragoo, Henry Harshfield, SilasbrHill, Austin Hunt, Cameron Mutis, David Qian and Kevin Wissink.