The NoCo Time Trials use the same cars and rules established by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for the annual state competition and are held prior to the annual statewide electric car competition. For more than 30 years, NREL has hosted the Junior Solar/Battery Middle School Car Competition in Golden, Colo.

Platte River’s sponsorship includes:

• A minimum of two NREL-approved model car kits provided to each participating school, one solar-powered and one battery-powered kit
• An opportunity for teams to test their model cars before the statewide competition
• Grant funds provided to participating schools to support STEM programs
• Recognition for the fastest solar- and battery-powered car and the best engineering design in a given bracket
• A teacher/coach training workshop to show:
  • How to build and race model cars
  • How to modify a standard model car so it will race faster
  • How the competition aligns with Colorado’s state science and engineering standards

Requirements to participate:

• All participating teams must follow the car competition rules on NREL’s event website
• Solar car bracket: each participating team of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students must build a solar car using one of the JSS-approved standard solar car kits
• Battery car bracket: each participating team must build a lithium-ion-powered car based on the specifications established by NREL under the car competition rules
• Schools can field multiple teams at NoCo Time Trials (NREL may only allow two teams per bracket at state championships, however)
• Teams must be sponsored by their school – public, private or charter (likely a science or STEM class or program)
• Teams may be sponsored by local organizations with STEM clubs
• Students must build the model race car within specific guidelines, but modifications are highly encouraged to foster engineering creativity and innovation

How to participate:

Interested middle school teachers/coaches must contact Platte River Power Authority with their commitment of team(s). Teachers will then be added to the list of participating schools and will receive information about car kits, teacher workshops and race details.

Sign up your team(s)

Once your registration is received, a member of the Platte River team will contact you to confirm participation. Platte River will regularly communicate with teams and teachers to keep everyone informed regarding activities and events.

Note: Teachers, teams and parents will be responsible for any transportation and lodging expenses associated with the teacher/coach workshops and participation in the NoCo Time Trials and/or the statewide car competition.