{photo by Julie Theule}
Many of you may have heard about this on campus or through local media, but we want to highlight this on the blog too, because it was such an amazing opportunity and experience for these SLOCA students. Here’s the story, which went out in a press release recently:
May 16, 2016
SOLAR BOAT DESIGNED BY SAN LUIS OBISPO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WINS AT STATE REGATTA
A solar-powered boat designed by a class of middle school students at San Luis Obispo Classical Academy performed beautifully in a Northern California regatta this past weekend. Six students represented the class, bringing home a big First Place trophy for the Slalom race, and taking home Third Overall in 20 competing schools, 15 of which were high schools. This is the 5th year the Sacramento Municipal Utility District has held the competition at the Rancho Seco Recreational Area.
Photo on the right: Theo Waitkus, Zach Pritchett, Sandy Peterson and Quinn Ferrarini working on the early stages of the hull. {photo by Chris deFirmian}
The solar boat was designed and built from scratch by about ten students ranging from 5th to 8th grade under the guidance of experienced boat builder and restorer, Chris deFirmian. “I’ve built more than 30 boats with kids but this is the first solar boat I’ve worked on. I would show them how to make a cut, hold the saw, or drill a hole to countersink the screws, then I would step back and watch them do it.” deFirmian was impressed by the ingenuity displayed by the students. “They followed a pattern for the boat, but the students completely designed the systems inside: the steering system, where to put the motor, how to mount the solar panels. They put the motor in the front, which I have never seen on a boat before, but they thought that would make for better maneuverability and it works beautifully!” Apparently this idea of the putting the motor in front was a key design, giving their boat the advantage and the win in the slalom race.
Zach Pritchett, Austin Erb, Caedin Hilton and Sammy Rein figure out the solar power and steering systems of the boat. {photo by Chris deFirmian}
“It’s all about them learning to collaborate, design, be innovative and build. When they first started on this project they would argue a lot about how they should design it.” But as the class went on, deFirmian saw that they learned to listen to each other and make collaborative decisions that worked well. “I think these are the most solid skills we can give them,” says deFirmian.
Nate Theule tests the completed solar boat in Laguna Lake, San Luis Obispo the weekend before the big competition. {photo by Chris deFirmian}
The students took part in three different competitions: a sprint, a course that tests the maneuverability of the watercraft, and an endurance competition. The boat was also judged on design, technology and sustainability.
Wow, this is incredible – our middle schoolers showing innovation and creativity, building a solar boat together (something new for them), and then winning against high school teams! Thank you Chris, for guiding these young people and allowing them to have this magical moment. Way to go, SLOCA!
These are the students who worked on designing and building the solar boat:
Nate Theule
Zach Pritchett
Austin Erb
Quinn Ferrarini
Owen Lacey
Sandy Peterson
Sammy Rein
Caedin Hilton
Theo Waitkus
And here are a few more photos from the Regatta:
{photo by Kateri Rein}
