Beginning Friday, May 18, the engineering skills, teamwork and ingenuity of more than 800 Southland high school students will be put to the test in one of the most unique educational competitions in the country as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California hosts the fifth annual Solar Cup event at Lake Skinner, near Temecula.

The three-day event kicks off Friday as teams of students qualify their solar-powered boats, followed by endurance races Saturday, May 19, and sprint races Sunday, May 20.

"This is truly a story of hard work, determination, teamwork and intellect,'' Solar Cup coordinator Julie Miller, a state-certified teacher in Metropolitan's education programs. "What also is inspiring is the camaraderie. Even though high school teams are competing against one another, they also will pitch in to help each other."

Since building identical hulls in December from kits supplied by Metropolitan, students have worked nights and weekends to maximize their boats' endurance, speed and efficiencies. Using grants from local water agencies and others, they have equipped the 16-foot-long shells with solar panels, batteries, electrical systems, drivetrains, propellers and rudders.

Many teams added custom paint jobs, posh upholstery and upscale dashboard gauges-even color-coordinated team apparel. For instance, three-time Solar Cup winner Canyon High School of Anaheim, which placed eighth last year, is vowing a comeback in its sleek black-and-gold boat with James Bond's "007" theme.

"About 850 students from 41 schools in five counties are competing this year," Miller said. "Nearly half are newcomers, and the rest are veteran teams."

While a cargo bin served as the workshop for Norco High School team, other Solar Cup teams toiled away in school boiler rooms, family garages, art rooms, and wood and metal shops to figure out how to squeeze the most speed and endurance from their boats.

Teams faced a variety of challenges leading up to the event, such as writing the four required technical reports that were evaluated by professors and students at California Polytechnic University, Pomona.  Other difficulties, students said, were managing their time effectively; getting team members to show up and work; building their boat’s drive train; even putting out electrical-system fires.

The easiest and most enjoyable aspects?  Students said they liked building the hulls from the six pieces of marine-grade plywood, which Metropolitan provided; and the teamwork.  Many students said they also look forward to three days of food, camping and competing. 

The best part of the experience has been “Working and eating together and laughing at our mistakes,” Nogales’ team replied to a questionnaire.

“Trying out new ideas,” said the team at Arlington High School in Riverside.  “Seeing your creation become a reality from ideas and hard work,” answered students on the Solar Cup team at Temecula’s Chaparral High School.

Metropolitan sets no size, age or gender requirements for teams, although all participants must be registered at the school.  Some, like La Puente and San Jacinto high schools, have just four students on their teams, while Nogales and Upland High School have 40 students on theirs.  Moreno Valley’s Rancho Verde High School’s team carries 63 students. 

“One interesting and admirable development is that many of the teams have more girls than boys,” Miller said.  “Ten years ago that would have been rare to see so many girls involved in a project that focuses so much on engineering, math and construction.  We think it’s great.”

Also rewarding to Solar Cup sponsors and organizers is that not all of the participants are high school seniors, as was more the case in the competition’s early years.  Today, many teams include freshmen, sophomores and juniors.  One team, in fact, has no seniors.

To even the playing field for the contenders, Metropolitan prohibits teams from spending more than the $3,000 grant they have received from their sponsors to equip the hulls that Metropolitan provides; requires returning teams to build a new boat each year; and scores the newcomer and veteran teams in separate categories.

The high hopes of all 41 teams will be challenged beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, when the boats will be given 35-step inspections on land and water to make sure they are seaworthy, safe, and meet all regulations.
Saturday, the teams will attach solar collection panels to the boats and race around a 1.6‑kilometer, asymmetrical course in a 90-minute endurance race.

Sunday, teams remove solar panels and, using solar energy stored in batteries, sprint three abreast down a 200-meter course—drag racing on water.  The day concludes with an awards ceremony at which trophies are presented for first-, second- and third-place; sportsmanship; teamwork; best-looking boat; and best visual display, among others.

Solar Cup events begin at 8 a.m. each day.  Lake Skinner recreation area is at 37701 Warren Road, off Rancho California Road, about 10 miles north of Temecula.  The events and exhibits are open to the public free of charge.

Scores will be posted each evening at "www.mwdh2o.com."

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 18 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.