Students Put Model Cars to the Test
ARGONNE, Ill., May 4 -- Teams of young engineers will put their skills to the test in the 14th annual model car competition, Saturday, May 8, 2004, sponsored by Argonne National Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy, CNH and the Society of Automotive Engineers.
The competition for middle school students will take place at CNH, 7S600 County Line Road, Burr Ridge, beginning at 9 a.m. with team and vehicle registration. Vehicle inspection and design judging will follow, and the race portion of the contest will begin at 11 a.m.
There will be two classes for the competition -- a hydrogen fuel cell car and a solar car. Vehicles will race only within their own class.
The competition requires students to use aerodynamics, applied science and engineering skills to build the model cars. Developing a successful design requires experimentation, teamwork and organization. The task is comparable to the challenges scientists and engineers face when trying to design a lightweight, functional vehicle with an efficient powertrain, low-drag aerodynamics, minimal friction and excellent performance.
Teams will use either a fuel cell car kit or a solar car kit to build their vehicles. The cars, guided by wires running the length of the course, will be run in heats until the top performing cars are determined. Solar cars will run a 20-meter course. Fuel cell cars will run a 10-meter course.
Prizes will be awarded for the top performing cars, and design awards will be given based on technology, craftsmanship, appearance of the car and a working knowledge of the car's design.
The model car competition is part of the 2004 Chicago Middle School Science Bowl which also includes an academic competition that was held in March. The goal of the Science Bowl is to encourage student involvement in math, science and engineering activities. Of the teams participating in both the car and academic competitions, the team with the best combined score will represent the region at the national competition to be held June 17-20 in Golden, Colo. Teams participating in the dual event must compete with the hydrogen fuel cell car. Teams participating in the car competition only can enter one or both car classes.
CNH Corporation Technology Center is located at the northwest corner of the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) and County Line Road in Burr Ridge. CNH Corporation is a leading manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment.
The Society of Automotive Engineers provides a forum for engineers involved in the design and production of all kinds of vehicles and their components. It also provides several student participation programs such as the Fuel Cell/Solar Car Competition, to cultivate engineering interest in younger members.
The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory conducts basic and applied scientific research across a wide spectrum of disciplines, ranging from high-energy physics to climatology and biotechnology. Since 1990, Argonne has worked with more than 600 companies and numerous federal agencies and other organizations to help advance America's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for the future. Argonne is operated by the University of Chicago as part of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory system.
Schools participating in the car competition are: St. John's Lutheran School, LaGrange Brighton Park School, Hinsdale Kingswood Academy, Darien Yorkville Middle School, Yorkville Madison Jr. High School, Naperville Jerling Junior High School, Orland Park Crone Middle School, Naperville Roosevelt Middle School, River Forest Pulaski Academy, Chicago Jefferson Junior High School, Woodridge Bretano Math and Science Academy, Chicago Daniel Boone School, Chicago St. Michael's School, Orland Park Eisenhower Junior High School, Darien
