Students build a solar boat for Young Solar Challenge

Around a week ago, the students of the Stedelijk Lyceum Kottenpark from Enschede met up at the Classroom of the Future at the University of Twente for the first time. Together with their supervisors and a couple of members from the student team Solar Boat Twente, they took the first steps here to participate in the first race of the Young Solar Challenge in May. In the afternoon, they discussed what needs to happen when talking about technology, communication and organisation in various groups. At the end of the afternoon, the students presented all that is involved with building a solar boat to their parents and what they will be working on in the coming period.

“Young Solar Boat teams are not new, but this is unique in Twente”, according to Xavier Roosendaal, team manager of Solar Boat Twente. “We are delighted that the Stedelijk Lyceum Kottenpark is just as enthusiastic about setting up a Young Solar Boat Twente team as we are”. Roosendaal continues. Debby Vuurpijl and Heleen Kok, teachers at the school and supervisors of the team, are also pleased with the initiative. “We are proud that we have been able to set up this team in such a short time, and that so many students are excited to participate in the project,” Vuurpijl says. The 14 students participating in the project do all this next to their regular lessons, in their free time.

The Young Solar Challenge is a competition consisting of three solar boat races, in which teams of high school students from all over the country participate. All teams participating in the competition receive a kit that they will assemble themselves. From making and laminating the hull to installing the electrical system in the solar boat. Not only do the students learn a lot about technology, they can also learn a lot about organisation, communication and collaboration. The students have been registered for the races, but they need to organise all other matters themselves; like transport, food and sleeping arrangements. To ensure everything can be realised, the students must look for companies that can sponsor them with materials, knowledge or a financial contribution. The students are supervised by two teachers from the school and supported by members of the student team. “They can always come to us for advice and assistance”, Roosendaal says. “But they will have to do the biggest part themselves. That’s the purpose of the project after all.”

The first race for the Young Solar Boat Twente team will take place on May 10 and 11 in Harlingen. More information about the competition and the dates of the other races can be found on the website of the Young Solar Challenge.