Solar-powered vehicle in need of new juice

©2005 Syracuse.com. All Rights Reserved. ^ | Friday, April 21, 2006 | By David L. Shaw

[Redbob]

"The current crop of hybrid gas/electric cars (like the Prius and others) didn't just become cost-competitive overnight either -- it took a decade or more of high-cost technology development to get hybrids to the marketplace."

More like three decades, Ace, and not one itty-bit of that technology came out of high-school science fairs like this.
They'd be far better off teaching their students real-world skills, like math and reading, or even your basic auto mechanics curriculum.

[Sonar5]

Ok, that is about the dumbest comment on this thread, IMHO.

Those science fairs as you call them, interest students enough to go on to college pursuing degrees in engineering, and other sciences.

This comment:
"Ace, and not one itty-bit of that technology came out of high-school science fairs like this."

You don't know that to be true or not.

Are you some expert in the field of solar producing energy or something.

IMHO, There are not enough high school programs like this.

I'm tired of seeing the dumbing down in some high schools, where they teach to the standards and don't encourage enough.

[Rokurota]

OTOH, these kids are getting a first hand -- and first class -- look at a real engineering problem. Invaluable.

I don't know. Seems to me they are now getting a first hand look at economics.

[r9etb]

Seems to me they are now getting a first hand look at economics.

Which is a part of engineering that lamentably few engineers bother to understand.

[longtermmemmory]

I hope that a lack of donor yeilds a necesity equals invention solution.

Consider, they have a problem with the batteries so now they need some kind of solution.

Seems like they are resting on their laurels if they are looking for a 9k donation.