The Pitsco Ray Catcher Sprint Deluxe Solar Vehicle Kit includes a solar panel and parts to build a model solar car that meets regulations for the Junior Solar Sprint competition, and provides students in grades 6-12 a hands-on activity that demonstrates photovoltaics, solar energy, force, and motion. The kit includes a solar panel, a 1.5-3VDC electric motor, 10-1/2 x 4 inch balsa wood sheets, nylon spacers, alligator clips, 5-1/2 inch steel axles, front and rear wheels, rubber bands, a polystyrene gear font (variety of gears), screw eyes, and instructions. A two-cell AA battery holder and a solar panel blank, which serves as a solar panel substitute for cars without a solar panel, are available with the 10-pack kit and the 30-pack kit only. The solar panel measures 5 x 10.5 x .12 inches (H x W x D), weighs 126 grams, and has an output of 2.9V at 1.1 amp. It is made of extra-strong fiberglass backing and is covered with transparent laminate for durability, and it can be reused. The cells within the solar panel are wired in parallel so that if the panel cracks, only a portion of the panel does not work while the panel continues to operate. The finished solar car measures approximately 4 x 6 x 10 inches (H x W x D). (H is height, the vertical distance from lowest to highest point; W is width, the horizontal distance from left to right; D is depth, the horizontal distance from front to back.) A solar car kit is typically used in an educational setting to demonstrate solar energy, photovoltaics, and physics.
Construction requires soldering iron and solder, a hobby knife, a cool-melt glue gun and glue, needle-nose pliers, and a ruler (all sold separately). Solar car without the solar panel requires two AA batteries (sold separately).
Science education products incorporate applied math and science principles into classroom projects. Teachers in pre-K, elementary, and secondary classrooms use science education kits and products alongside science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum to demonstrate STEM concepts and real-world applications through hands-on activities. Science education projects include a broad range of activities, such as practical experiments in engineering, aeronautics, robotics, energy, chemistry, physics, biology, and geology.
Pitsco Education develops K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum, educational kits, and classroom tools. The company, founded in 1971, is headquartered in Pittsburg, KS.
What’s in the Box?
- Solar panel (1 per five cars)
- Solar panel blanks (1 per car) (available with the 10-pack and 30-pack only)
- Pitsco Motor 280 motors (1 per car)
- Balsa wood sheets (2 per car)
- Nylon spacers (4 per car)
- Alligator clips (2 per car)
- Steel axles (2 per car)
- Large rear wheels (2 per car)
- Small front wheels (2 per car)
- Rubber bands (4 per car)
- Two-cell AA battery holders (1 per car) (available with the 10-pack and 30-pack only)
- Gear font (1 per car)
- Screw eyes (2 per car)
- Instructions
