Junior Solar Sprint
Program Category: Accepting Mentors, Fee Structure, Free, Grade Level, 3 - 6, and 7 - 8
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The Junior Solar Sprint, a STEM education and engagement event, is open to all middle and junior high schools in the Philadelphia region. Typically 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders design, build and race model solar cars that meet the specifications of the national Junior Solar Sprint. PSEA’s event day is usually held on a Saturday in May, and draws more than 200 students and their parents, siblings and friends, for a total of approximately 500 people from as many as 20 schools across the region. The next race will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2019 on the Drexel Quad, at 31st and Market Streets.
The Junior Solar Sprint is sponsored by the Philadelphia Solar Energy Association (PSEA), a volunteer based, nonprofit organization. PSEA volunteers have made a number of videos of the race, similar to this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZjTmso7T-E
The Solar Sprint has helped inspire several thousand Philadelphia-area youth to pursue advanced education and careers in the sciences over the past 20 years. PSEA is especially proud of the diversity of participants. Our message promoting clean, renewable energy is extended to hundreds of spectators, as well as the parents, teachers, and friends who report, increasingly on social media, on how they succeeded at making a solar-powered car! All schools, public, private, and even home schools and cyber schools can participate.
Drexel University is partnering with PSEA to engage its students as volunteers and to expand the event to reach many more schools and have an even greater public education impact. PSEA members, consisting of solar professionals, engineers, artists and others volunteer hundreds of hours every year to produce this valuable public education event.
PSEA provides free teacher training workshops beginning in the fall. For more information, contact Liz Robinson, lizhrob2@gmail.com.
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ORGANIZATION/PROGRAM
Organization Name: Philadelphia Solar Energy AssociationOrganization Street Address: 566 Jamestown StreetOrganization City, State, Zip: Philadelphia, PA 19128Organization Phone Number: 2152852710Short Description of Organization:The Philadelphia Solar Energy Association is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding the use of solar energy through public education, engagement, advocacy and training.
Program Street Address: 566 Jamestown Street
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
19128Program Phone Number: 2152852710Which one best describes your organization?: Non-ProfitWhich one best describes your program?: Site-based - stationary (students come to a site)Is your program delivered in collaboration with external partners?: YesIf you answered yes to the last question ("l"), please list those partners.:Drexel University
Accepting Mentors: YesCONTENT
Is STEM the "core" of your program?: YesWhich type of STEM programming do you offer? (choose ALL that apply):- Engineering
- Environment Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
Which other activities does your STEM program include? (choose All that apply):- Civic Engagement and Service-Learning
- Project-Based Learning
Does your program use volunteer STEM mentors?: YesLOCATION AND SHARING
Where is your STEM program offered? (choose ALL that apply):- Center City
- South Philadelphia
- Southwest Philadelphia
- West Philadelphia
- Lower North Philadelphia
- Bridesburg-Kensington-Richmond
- Roxborough-Manayunk
- Germantown-Chestnut Hill
- Olney-Oak Lane
- Near Northeast Philadelphia
- Far Northeast Philadelphia
- Other
If you chose "other" for the question above then tell us where your program is offered.:entire Philadelphia region
When does your STEM program take place? (choose ALL that apply):- Fall
- Winter
- Spring
- During school
- After school
- Weekend
PARTICIPANTS
How many children does your program serve each year? Numbers can be estimates.: 101-500 individualsHow many hours/week does each child participate? Numbers can be estimates, and can be specific to a season or semester.: Less than 2 hours per weekWhich ages/grades does your STEM program serve? (choose ALL that apply):- 3rd - 6th grade
- 7th - 8th grade
Which gender(s) does your STEM program serve? (choose ALL that apply):- Girls
- Boys
- Transgender and Gender Non Conforming
Which ethnic/racial populations does your STEM program serve?:- African-American
- Latino
- Caucasian
- Asian
- Native American
- Middle Eastern
- Multi-Ethnic
What percentage of your participants are eligible for free or reduced lunch? Percentages can be estimates.*: Do not knowWho can participate in your STEM program?: Individuals and groupsCan your STEM program accommodate youth with special needs?: NoFEE/FEE STRUCTURE
Do participants need to pay for your STEM program?: NoIs transportation to and from your program provided?: No students must provide their own transportation.ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Please place your additional comments in the section below.:PSEA provides free teacher trainings and all the information teachers need to learn how to teach their students to build model solar cars and compete in the annual Junior Solar Sprint. These trainings can be scheduled to meet the teachers' needs.
CATEGORIES
Please select the applicable categories: Accepting Mentors, Fee Structure, Free, Grade Level, 3 - 6, and 7 - 8 -