Iowa State's Team PrISUm will be one of about 10 university solar car teams passing through Ames July 26 as part of the biannual American Solar Challenge. Ames is the site of the required checkpoint that day, as teams and their solar-powered vehicles make their way from Omaha to La Crosse, Wisconsin, on Day 6 of the eight-day competition.
In conjunction with the race checkpoint, the College of Engineering is hosting a free public event from 1 to 4 p.m. in parking lot D-2 at the Iowa State Center. The event will feature demonstrations and hands-on activities for all ages by campus organizations, community clubs and companies. While waiting for team cars to arrive, visitors also can hang out with Cy or grab a bite to eat. Hy-Vee will be on site selling burgers, veggie burgers, brats, chips and drinks.
Solar cars, accompanied by team support vehicles, will arrive at the center and depart via U.S. Highway 30 and University Boulevard. According to race organizers, each team is at the checkpoint for about an hour before continuing on the race route. Visitors will have an opportunity to see the teams and their cars up close.
Checkpoint activities
Many of the exhibits follow a sustainability theme. For example, the North Central Iowa STEM Hub (ISU Extension and Outreach) will host KidWind Challenge, a hands-on and interactive wind energy activity. Visitors of all ages can design and construct wind turbine models and test them in a wind tunnel simulator. At other stations, learn how solar energy is captured and used. Other Iowa State student race teams will have their vehicles on display at the event.
