May 20 2010
Students from 36 Southland high schools numbering 700 gathered on May 14, 2010, for the solar-powered boats competition lasting for three days at Lake Skinner.
The students spent seven months training in the Solar Cup program of the Metropolitan Water District. This annual competition saw Solar Cup teams participating from schools located in San Bernardino, Orange, San Diego, Riverside and Los Angeles counties.
The boats were tested and inspected by a technical advisory group from Occidental College and by staff members of the Metropolitan Water District for safety and maneuverability. The boats featured solar-powered, single-seat 16-foot sculls having solar-collection panels.
The General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District Jeffrey Kightlinger commented that the three-day competition and the Solar Cup program are ideal to teach students the importance of renewable resources, environmental stewardship and proper water conservation ethic.
The defending champions of this year Canyon High School of Anaheim (winner of the 2009 Veterans Division) and Savanna High school of Anaheim (winner of the 2009 Newcomer Division) also took part in the competition.
Winners of the competition were based on submission of technical reports, technical inspections and submission of an information project that comprises a presentation and public service announcement of a water-science or water-conservation activity.
Some of the teams that participated are from Chino Hills, Compton, La Mirada, Lake Forest, Nuevo, Santa Monica, Torrance and San Jacinto.