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High School Teams from Anaheim, Calabasas Early Leaders as Three-Day Solar-Powered Boat Competition BeginsTEMECULA, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Metropolitan Water District's 11th annual Solar Cup™ hits the water for qualifying today, with student teams from Savanna High School in Anaheim and David Gonzales High School in Calabasas the preliminary leaders heading into the three-day competition. Starting today, solar-powered boats built and equipped by students from 39 high schools in Los Angeles, Orange (News - Alert), Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties (see following list) kick off the nation's largest solar-powered boat competition at Metropolitan's Lake Skinner, just north of Temecula in southwest Riverside County. Today (May 17), teams will be put through a series of qualifying events by Metropolitan and a technical advisory team from Harvey Mudd and Occidental colleges to ensure boats meet rules and are safe and seaworthy. Saturday (May 18) will feature single-seat, solar-powered 16-foot boats outfitted with solar-collection panels competing in endurance races around a 1.6-kilometer course in the morning and afternoon. Sunday (May 19) is highlighted by 200-meter sprint races-in which the solar panels are removed and the boats are powered by solar energy stored in batteries. The races will be followed by an awards ceremony, with trophies awarded in veteran and rookie divisions for teams with the highest points, as well as to teams honored for "Hottest-Looking Boat," teamwork and sportsmanship. The races are easily visible from the shore, and the event is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission and parking. Lake Skinner is at 37701 Warren Road, Winchester, in the Temecula Valley of southwest Riverside County-about 10 miles northeast of the Rancho California Road exit off Interstate 15. Nearly 9,000 students have participated in Solar Cup since the inaugural event featured just eight boats in 2002. The program is a team-based educational competition that allows students to apply their skills in math, physics, engineering and communications, while learning about Southern California's water sources, resource management, conservation and alternative energy development. In addition to the racing, teams receive points for technical inspections, submissions of three technical reports and creation of a public service announcement focusing on water conservation in the form of a 30- to 60-second, self-scripted and produced, conservation video, audiotape and/or brochure. The conservation theme of this year's PSA element was "Be Waterwise . . . Outside." As boat qualifying begins today, Savanna leads all Solar Cup teams by scoring 352 total points out of a possible 355, highlighted by scoring 247 out of a possible 250 points in the PSA competition and tallying 72 out of 75 points for the team's three technical progress reports. The team from David Gonzales, a Los Angeles County-run juvenile probation school, is currently in second place with 348 points after tallying the highest rated public service video (250 points) and 70 points for its progress reports. Claremont High School follows with 339 total points, including 244 points for the team's PSA. "Solar Cup is a case study in hard work, determination, teamwork and intellect," said program coordinator Julie Miller, a state-certified teacher in Metropolitan's education programs. "The camaraderie that develops during the competition also is inspiring. Even though the teams are competing against one another, they pitch in to help each other to solve problems." The competition actually began last November as teams built identical hulls from kits supplied by Metropolitan. Students have since worked nights and weekends to maximize their boats' endurance, speed and mechanical and electrical efficiencies. Over the past few months, working with their sponsoring Metropolitan member and local agencies, they have equipped the 16-foot-long shells with solar panels, batteries, electrical systems, drive trains, propellers and rudders. Along with the veterans division of returning high school teams, Solar Cup includes a rookie division for first-time teams. Teams also are divided into four regions-the Foothill, Central & Bay, Inland Empire and South Counties regions. Additional event videos, including the top-rated PSAs, as well as photos from past Solar Cup events can be found under Education Programs at Metropolitan's website, mwdh2o.com. This year's Solar Cup PSAs also will be on display for the public during the weekend. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving nearly 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.
* Rookie Teams |
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