The 28th Annual Solar Car Challenge was held July 14–17, 2024, at the Texas Motor Speedway, in Ft. Worth, TX.
TXSES was excited to participate in the 2024 Solar Car Challenge on Monday, July 15th, when we were honored with a “TXSES Day at the Race.” Executive Director Patrice “Pete” Parsons welcomed the crowd and waved the start flag to begin the day’s races. Afterwards, she shared, “These students are demonstrating the possibilities for future solar vehicles, while having fun and creating these amazing automobiles from scratch. It’s very inspirational.”
The Solar Car Challenge is the top project-based STEM Initiative helping motivate students in science, engineering, and alternative energy. High school students learn how to plan, design, engineer, build, race, and evaluate roadworthy solar cars. The mission: building the young engineers and innovators of the Future.
The Solar Car Challenge is the top project-based STEM Initiative helping motivate students in science, engineering, and alternative energy. High school students learn how to plan, design, engineer, build, race, and evaluate roadworthy solar cars. The mission: building the young engineers and innovators of the Future.
This year’s Solar Challenge was the largest event to date, with 29 nine teams from 13 states qualifying and getting the opportunity to drive their solar cars at the world-famous Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. Founder and Event Coordinator Dr. Lehman Marks explained, “The historic 2024 Solar Car Challenge saw 560 students and teachers race roadworthy Solar Cars at the Texas Motor Speedway. The innovative students showcased their hard work, and worked together so that all qualifying teams could be a success.”
High School teams began preparation for this year-long project during education workshops scheduled in September 2023. Additional workshops, on-site visits, mentor opportunities, and summer camps help propel the projects to success.
This year’s event was hosted by Oncor and Lockheed Martin.