Over 60 teams apply STEM principles to competition hosted by Platte River Power Authority
Platte River Power Authority’s (Platte River) 6th annual NoCo Time Trials crossed the finish line May 3 with awards ceremonies crowning several teams from middle schools across Colorado as solar and battery car race champions with over 350 guests in attendance.
“We’re proud of all the students who worked so hard to prepare to race at the NoCo Time Trials,” says Jason Frisbie, general manager and CEO for Platte River. “It’s inspiring to see the next generation of energy leaders engage with the same noncarbon energy technologies that Platte River is employing to make this clean energy transition.”
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 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 at the utility’s headquarters building in Fort Collins.
Over 60 teams and a total of 13 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 – BT (Colorado Early Colleges)
- Fastest battery car: team – Rainbow Roadsters (High Plains School)
- Best solar car design: team – Infinity (Compass Community School)
- Best battery car design: team – R.A.C. (High Plains School)
- School spirit award: Speed Demons – (The Manning 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.
Additionally, students participated in a competitive essay contest, and two winners were selected. Sam Allen and Alexandra Reese, both of The Manning School, will each be awarded a $1,500 stipend that will be released when they graduate and commit to pursuing higher education in a STEM-related field (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). This is the second year Platte River has offered the NoCo Time Trials Scholarship.
“The utility industry is in the middle of a transformation that will require the next generation of energy leaders to solve complex challenges,” Frisbie says. “We hope the learning opportunity from this competition and the scholarship program encourages these bright minds to come and to work for Platte River one day.”
