Event Year: 2024 Event Location: Orange County STEM Saturday Competition: Junior Solar Sprint Division: 4-6 (JSS Green) School: Zellwood Elementary Team Name: The Galaxy Girls Project Name: Jr. Solar Sprint Team Size: 2
Zellwood Elementary
Members: Milani S. 5th grade, Sydney J. 5th grade
DESIGN DOCUMENTATION
Front of CarBack of CarRight side of CarLeft side of CarUnderside of CarTop of Car
Design and Building Process
Sydney is getting the wheels together.
Sydney is measuring it to put the solar panel on.
Milani is putting the wheels on.
Milani is putting the Legos on to move the solar panel.
Milani is putting the solar panel on.
PROJECT LOG:
Date
Team Members Present
What we did
September 10
Jana, Milani, Elizabeth, and Sydney
When we walked into stem, we all decided that we wanted to do solar sprint car. Then Mrs. Owens paired me (Milani) Elizabeth Sydney and Jana together. Next, we all voted on a team name. After a bit of arguing we all decided that are team name would be, The Galaxy Girls. After we decided are team name Jana decided to quit. So now we were down a member.
September 17
Milani, Elizabeth, and Sydney
Today when we walked into stem, we decided that we were going to start painting. But out of nowhere Elizabeth decided to quit and join Jana in egg drop. So now we were down another member. After that happened me and Sydney started the painting and sanding our board. We chose the wheels and then it was time to leave.
September 24
Milani and Sydney
Today when we walked into stem Milani (me) got onto the computer, and Sydney put the wheels together and did some sanding on the balsa wood. We drew on the wood where the hole was to be cut. Mrs. Owens helped us cut a hole. Before we knew it we had to leave.
October 1
Milani and Sydney
When we walked into stem today, Sydney (me) got onto the computer while Milani started sanding the base so that it would fit into the wheels. Then Milani hot glued the axel’s on to the base. Then it was time to leave.
October 15
Milani and Sydney
When we walked into stem today, Mrs. Owens talked to us about when our projects were to do and that both me (Milani) and Sydney would have to be at the competition. Or else we would have to forfeit. Then we got straight to work. Sydney started getting the straws ready to hold the solar panel and I got onto the computer. Then we looked for bottles to put the ping pong in. After a long time of cutting and searching we decided that the Gatorade bottle was best so I Velcro it onto the car. Later on, Sydney and I decided that the straws were a bad idea, and that Legos would be a better choice, and Sydney built the base for the Soler panel by using Legos. Then it was time to go.
October 22
Milani and Sydney
Today when we walked into stem, we decided that Milani would glue the Legos together. Milani got stuck on it for a second, but she persevered.
October 29
Milani and Sydney
Today when we walked into stem Milani got straight to the computer while Sydney hot glued the battery on to the car. Then Mrs. Owens helped Sydney hot glue the wheels, so they won’t move. Later Sydney hot glued the gear to the axel. And after that they hot glued the motor. But while they were gluing the motor on, they noticed that there were no wires on the solar panel. So, we took the old solar panel off and replaced it with the one that had wires. Then we left.
November 5
Milani and Sydney
Today when we walked into stem me (Sydney) got onto the computer and Milani put the gator clips onto the Solar panel. Then Milani reglued the Solar panel and added straws so that the Solar panel wouldn’t touch the wheels. Later we had to redo the wheels. We were planning on testing it but ran out of time.
November 12
Milani and Sydney
Today when we walked into stem me (Milani) got onto the computer and Sydney put another gator clip on because the other one came off. Next Sydney and I and hot glued the wheels and the gear. But then in the middle of doing that one of the straws popped off so I glued it back on. Then the solar panel came off, so I had to glue that back on. After, Mrs. Owens showed us how to place the paper clip on the balsa wood so we could put the string through. Then we realized that the solar panel was glued on incorrectly, so we put it back on. Finally, we were able to test it. We put the string in and connected the gator clip then, only the wheel in between started moving so we figured out that the wheel was not glued on correctly. So, we planned that next week. Mrs. Owens helped to glue on the gear since we were using Super Glue instead of hot glue. Then it was time to leave.
November 19
Milani and Sydney
Today when we walked into stem, we immediately went to test it. The car went so fast with the battery that when Sydney caught it. The solar panel along with the Lego broke off. Also, three of the straws came off with it. So, when we came back in me (Milani) hot glued the stuff back on and Sydney got onto the computer to add pictures.
November 21
Milani and Sydney
When we walked into stem, we got onto the website. The main thing that we did was test it outside in the sun. Milani held the cardboard over the car, while Sydney put the wires onto the motor, and then Milani ran to catch the car.
November 22
Sydney
When I got into stem, I made the video and finished the list of components.
Design Drawings
Sydney’s diagramMilani’s diagram
Finished Car Specifications:
Wheel size: back wheel width 2.2cm length 5cm. Front wheel 3cm height and 1.5cm width
Car size: 26.5cm length 7.4cm width in the back 8.5cm width in the front
