RESOURCES: There are a number of Resources available to assist you in the building and racing of your Mini EV Solar car and Boat kits.

MINI EV CHALLENGE GUIDELINES: Rules and regulations- what you need to know   Mini EV Guidelines 2024.pdf

ALL ABOUT THE CHALLENGE: Everything you need to know about the challenges   All About the Challenge Guide 2024.pdf

BUILD INSTRUCTIONS (STEP BY STEP):

Primary School Car Kit: Primary Solar Car Building Instructions.pdf

High School Car Kit: High School Solar Car Building Instructions.pdf

Model Boat Kit: Model Boat Kit Instructions.pdf

HOW TO BUILD VIDEOS BY KITE MAGIC: All Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@kiteman2034/playlists

Car Building Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr9UifR0mY8

Advanced Car Building: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovlz3Rvuwe4

Boat Design: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOQCYAGa0vI

For more information or trouble shooting regarding building your Kits please contact Michael at Kite Magic 02 9045 1662 

CURRICULUM LINKS AND TEACHING MODULES:

Stage 3 https://iteachstem.com.au/resources/race-the-sun-stage-3-unit-of-work-case/

Stage 5 https://iteachstem.com.au/resources/solar-car-challenge-unit-of-work-race/

PRIMARY SCHOOL STANDARDS:

• The car will be powered by one 2 volt 700mA panel
• The car can have one basic motor
• The car will be constructed by you.
• Will be no wider than 260mm

Must Have

• Toggle switch, centre off and one way solar and the other battery and clearly indicated.
• 16mm clearance under the car plus an empty 2xAA battery holder.
• A plate measuring 10cm x 2cm with your car name and number on it incorporated into the design.

Must Not have

• Batteries installed or any electronic charge devices.
• High tech/ large dollar construction technique

CONSTRUCTION

While there is a kit for this event you can use any materials or components for the construction of your car if it complies with the Standards Must Haves and Must Not Haves above. You may wish to consider balsa wood, perspex, craft board and a whole range of other materials. It is important to consider weight and size. The diameter of the wheel has an impact on torque and the 16mm clearance.

There are a number of races you will need to complete to get to the final, so your car must last. It needs to be durable and well-engineered.

HIGH SCHOOL STANDARDS:

• The car can be powered by up to two 2 volt 700mA panels
• The car can have one basic motor
• The car will be constructed by you.
• Will be no wider than 260mm

Must Have

• Toggle switch, centre off and one way solar and the other battery and clearly indicated.
• 16mm clearance under the car plus an empty 2xAA battery holder.
• A plate measuring 10cm x 2cm with your car name and number on it incorporated into the design.

Must Not have

• Batteries installed or any electronic charge devices.
• High tech/ large dollar construction technique

BOAT STANDARDS:

Boat Size: The boat shall be no more than 550mm long and 300mm wide.

Blunt Nose: The front of your boat should be blunt to avoid getting stuck in the 13mm holes in the starting gate mesh. If unsure about this, please ask.

Guides: A thin line will be suspended 300mm+/- 25mm above the water, to guide your boat down the pool. You will be disqualified from the current race if you are the cause of a collision with another boat. Your boat must stay on the guide.

Solar cells: The boat is to be powered by commercially available silicon photovoltaic cells of up to 350 cm2 active area. Boats will not share panels.

Must Have

Switch: An ON/OFF switch is to be included in the electrical circuit.

Inspection: The solar cells must be removable to reveal the inside of the boat.

Must Not Have

No storage devices or batteries can be used.

Hulls: No commercially built or vacuum formed hulls will be allowed.

Motors: The total motor cost must be under $10.

Propulsion: Any form of propulsion can be used however it must not exceed the size requirement