DONNYBROOK District High School students overcame mechanical disaster and vast distances to win the WA Model Solar Car Challenge in Karratha on October 24 and 25.
The group of year nine students competing in the challenge designed, built and tested their vehicles over several months.
When distance became an issue with the Challenge being held 1800km away in Karratha, Sunwise Solar came on board and put $2,500 towards covering their expenses.
The team almost came to disaster when one of their solar panels was damaged in transit – but using a little ingenuity and guile, the students were able to access another solar panel in time for the race.
“This proved to be a master stroke, with team “Biffany” taking out first place,” teacher David Bleakley said.
“Teams Norton and Monroe also performed admirable and were a credit to themselves and the Donnybrook community throughout the day’s racing.”
Mr Bleakley said this effort of winning the Solar Challenge for the first time, along with previous victories in the Electric Vehicle Challenge, stamped Donnybrook District High School as a force in the development, design and construction of environmentally friendly vehicles and the unique learning opportunities this gave to students.
