For the past month in science we have been working on solar powered cars. First we had to learn all about photovoltaics (solar energy) and electric circuits. I learned how solar energy flows through silicone in its crystalline form. After we mastered this concept we decided to make solar powered vehicles.

We had to wait for the materials but soon they came. First we had to separate all of our equipment, after that, we cut and measured balsa wood. It wasn’t that easy because all of our measurements had to be exact. The measurements took a really long time and in my opinion they were not as fun. Learning to use an exacto knife was pretty tricky as well. Then we spent a few days experimenting with gears. We discovered how they turned and how their sizes made differences in speed and torque. Torque is the turning power of gears and if you try experimenting with it it is really fun!!!  After we experiment with the gears we had lots of gluing to do. We had to assemble our chassis (or car body) and axles. The axels are really hard to assemble and tricky to glue to but it was really fun when we got them working and the element of choice was cool too! In this case I used gear O because it was small and wide, incase my gears were shifty.

 Once all of that was done, then came the gear/motor assembly. We got to choose our gears in combinations like speed and torque. We glued the motor and screwed on the gears. Then came the ambitious part. We had to solder alligator clips to battery packs and solar panels. The solder was really easy at first but then it got harder. It was really cool to solder and It was so much fun, but, It was quite difficult to solder because we were dealing with 750 degrees. Finally last minute glues were glued and protractors and rulers came out to make sure everything was perfect. When I tested my car it worked. I can remember the first time I heard that motor run I felt so happy inside. “Ahhh... I made a car!!”