Over 90 teams applied STEM principles to competition hosted by Platte River Power Authority
Platte River Power Authority’s (Platte River) 5th annual NoCo Time Trials crossed the finish line May 4, 2024, with awards ceremonies crowning several teams from middle schools across Colorado as solar and battery car race champions with 400 guests in attendance.
“We’re incredibly proud of all the students who worked hard over the last several months in preparation to compete today,” says Javier C. Camacho, director of public and external affairs for Platte River. “It’s both thrilling and inspiring to see the next generation of energy leaders applying science, technology, engineering and math principals to engage with the same noncarbon energy technologies that Platte River is employing to make a clean energy transition.”
School Spirit Award 2024: High Plains.
When the NoCo Time Trials debuted in 2019, the mission was to gather more Northern Colorado schools to participate in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) Middle School Car Competition. The state competition was canceled for both 2023 and 2024, leaving Platte River as the only regional solar and battery car competition in the state. As a result, interest in this event has increased significantly with schools and students traveling from all over Colorado to compete in the competition held in Fort Collins.
Over 90 teams and a total of 14 middle schools participated this year seeking to be named the fastest and best designed solar and battery-powered car. The following winners were:
- Fastest solar car: team – Fast Truck (High Plains School)
- Fastest battery car: team – Cougar 1 (Walt Clark Middle School)
- Best solar car design: team – The Alphas (Compass Community Collaborative School)
- Best battery car design: team – My Little Pony (Compass Community Collaborative School)
- School spirit award: High Plains School
The school that receives the NoCo Time Trials School Spirit Award exemplifies teamwork, grit, innovation and camaraderie for all participants. This accolade was first introduced in 2023.
“High Plains School has been a participant in this competition since the event’s inaugural year in 2019. From cheering on their peers, to supporting other schools competing and staying positive throughout the day’s event, High Plains exemplified the meaning of this award,” Camacho adds.
Last year, in honor of Platte River’s 50th anniversary, the wholesale electric generation and transmission provider for Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland launched an earmarked scholarship stipend of $1,500 each for two students. Lily Atrash of High Plains School and Aliza Bauer of Riverview PK-8 received scholarships, with funds set to be released when they graduate high school and commit to pursue higher education in a STEM-related field. Platte River has committed to continue the scholarship awards for this competition annually.
“The utility industry is in the middle of a transformation that will require the next generation of energy leaders to solve complex challenges,” says Platte River CEO and general manager Jason Frisbie. “We hope the learning opportunity from this competition and the scholarships encourage bright minds to pursue an education and career in the electric and energy industry. In fact, I hope they come to work for Platte River one day and serve our communities as we have over the last half century.”