West Borough Primary School in Maidstone hosted the third race of the 2005 Kent Solar Car Challenge on Thursday. Youngsters from schools across the borough gathered for a special racing challenge that set a shining example on how to have fun and make the most of alternative energy sources!

Pupils from seven different schools attended the event, which was organised by the Kent Energy Centre. As well as the host school the competing teams were from East Farleigh Primary School, Coxheath Primary School, Palace Wood Junior School, Ulcombe CE Primary School, Oak Trees Community Primary School and Molehill Copse Primary School. The schools were supplied with starting materials to build their own Solar Cars, and special prizes were awarded for the fastest and best-designed sun powered ‘hot rods’.

Coxheath Primary School won the best dressed/best designed car competition with their entry called ‘Chariot of Fire’, and were awarded a GoSolar experiments kit. The runner up was Molehill Copse Primary School with their car called ‘Up Up and Away’.

Both West Borough Primary School and Coxheath Primary School will go through to the County Final at the Julie Rose Athletics Stadium on the 5th July where they will compete against the winners from all the other Kent heats which will betaking place throughout June.

Rachel Boycott from The Kent Energy Centre said 'the Solar Car Challenge is a fun way for children to learn about the environment, as well as engineering, science and graphic design. It also promotes solar energy and raises awareness in schools and in the wider community of issues such as renewable energy, climate change and pollution.’

All the children involved in the cars construction received a special certificate for their efforts

For further information and advice on how to save energy and save money call the Kent Energy Centre free on 0800 358 6669, or log on to www.kentenergycentre.org.uk

Kent Energy Centre is part of CEN, a not for profit organisation delivering a range of services to engage householders, businesses and communities in environmental and social improvement. We are supported by all Kent local authorities and provide a range of free and impartial services to householders on behalf of the Energy Saving Trust.

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