Winning Students Get Glimpse of Solar Car 
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Wednesday 21 November 2007 Students at Manly Selective Campus have received a visit from the country’s most energy efficient vehicle, after joining Manly MP Mike Baird to win top prize at a school science competition held at Parliament House last month. The Jaycar Sunswift III was built by students at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and has just returned from a 3000-kilometre journey from Darwin to Adelaide. “It’s a real thrill for our local students to see this incredible car and more importantly to see what you can achieve with solar energy,” said Mr Baird. The Jaycar Sunswift III averages 100 kilometres per hour on just over 2 kilowatts of energy, which is about the same amount used to power a vacuum cleaner. It was designed and built by students from a range of faculties at UNSW and was awarded the CSIRO’s Technical Innovation Award for the most energy efficient vehicle. “The car seats two people and has about eleven square metres of solar cells that convert energy at an efficiency of over 95%. “It’s wonderful that the students who made this vehicle have come to Manly to pass on their knowledge and inspire others who have shown an aptitude for science.” Mr Baird said the nine year-9 students from Manly Selective Campus did an outstanding job to win their prize, after competing against 11 schools and MPs from across NSW. “The students had to design a load restraint system for a small-scale vehicle. In two hours they managed to turn a pile of paperclips, thumbtacks and rubberbands into a device that safely carried the heaviest load in the shortest time. “They should be really pleased with their achievement and for representing Manly so well. Their win is a tribute to the inspiring work of students and teachers throughout the Northern Beaches,” Mr Baird said. MEDIA: Lisa Harrington - 0406 726 880 Add to:          Write Comment
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