The annual 6th Grade Solar Car Race showcased weeks of innovation and perseverance as students put their custom-built, solar-powered vehicles to the test on the Lower Campus tennis courts.
In the weeks leading up to race day, students worked in teams to design and build their cars from scratch without using pre-made kits. Every decision — from chassis materials and wheel selection to weight distribution and aerodynamics — required careful consideration as teams sought the ideal balance of speed and efficiency. Students assembled axles, wired custom electrical systems, integrated solar panels, and conducted repeated test runs, learning firsthand how small adjustments dramatically affect performance.
On race day, families, faculty, and fellow students gathered along the course to watch the culmination of weeks of planning, testing, and refinement. An impressive lineup of uniquely designed vehicles took their places at the starting line, and when the races began, the solar-powered cars sped down the course, showcasing the ingenuity and determination behind each team's work.
Congratulations to our 2026 Solar Car Race winners:
1st Place – Solar Sausages (Leo C., London L., and Yanna Y.)
2nd Place – Speedy Jr. (Rocco F. and Julian H.)
3rd Place – Speed, Speed, Speed, Sahur (Ryder A. and Dylan Z.)
While the competition brought plenty of excitement, the Solar Car Race is about more than crossing the finish line. The project gave students the opportunity to apply classroom concepts in a hands-on setting while exploring the possibilities of renewable energy and engineering, remaining a favorite 6th Grade tradition and a powerful example of experiential learning in action.
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