TY - GEN
T1 - Further developments in using model solar racers as an introduction to engineering
AU - Lau, Andrew
AU - Short, Tobin
AU - Kisenwether, Elizabeth
AU - Fogarty, James
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - This paper describes recent improvements in the design of model solar racers based on experience with first-year engineering and middle school students. With both audiences, the main educational goal is to introduce students to engineering in a fun way. Several modifications have been added to improve our program relative to the national Junior Solar Sprint, including 1) less expensive, more durable solar cells, 2) a different DC motor that matches the lower power output and higher array voltage possible with the new cells, and 3) an additional race powered by rechargeable batteries. Another distinguishing feature of our effort is the combination of field experience from the middle school and engineering analysis with the first-year engineering students. These efforts inform one another and have resulted in an enhanced understanding of the performance characteristics and tradeoffs in the design process. We have been able to build an analytical model that accounts for the possible variables affected by the design. These include gear ratio, friction, car mass, drag coefficient, frontal area, array wiring, and solar intensity. We have also developed simple tests to determine solar and motor performance.
AB - This paper describes recent improvements in the design of model solar racers based on experience with first-year engineering and middle school students. With both audiences, the main educational goal is to introduce students to engineering in a fun way. Several modifications have been added to improve our program relative to the national Junior Solar Sprint, including 1) less expensive, more durable solar cells, 2) a different DC motor that matches the lower power output and higher array voltage possible with the new cells, and 3) an additional race powered by rechargeable batteries. Another distinguishing feature of our effort is the combination of field experience from the middle school and engineering analysis with the first-year engineering students. These efforts inform one another and have resulted in an enhanced understanding of the performance characteristics and tradeoffs in the design process. We have been able to build an analytical model that accounts for the possible variables affected by the design. These include gear ratio, friction, car mass, drag coefficient, frontal area, array wiring, and solar intensity. We have also developed simple tests to determine solar and motor performance.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84870489647&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84870489647&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84870489647
SN - 9781622762637
T3 - Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference
SP - 2478
EP - 2483
BT - Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005
T2 - Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including 34th ASES Annual Conference and 30th National Passive Solar Conference
Y2 - 6 August 2005 through 12 August 2005
ER -
