This page is intended to be an all-in-one resource for NoCo Time Trials teachers/coaches. If you have any questions during the car building process, please contact [email protected].
Important dates
- Feb. 24: Deadline for teachers to sign up and select preferred date for the information session
- March 3, 4, or 5 (TBD): Information session and car kit pick up
- March 28: Deadline for t-shirt orders
- April 18: Scholarship applications due
- April 21: Entry forms and photos due
- April 28: Deadline for final team names
- May 3: Race day!
- May 10: Rain delay
- Fall 2025: Grant check presentation
Car building resources
Supplies
Pitsco education resources
- Building the Ray Catcher solar vehicle (12:59 minutes)
- Experimenting with the Ray Catcher solar vehicle (2:30 minutes)
Teacher’s guide (registration required)
- Cool melt hot glue gun
- Soldering iron and solder
- Sandpaper
- Exacto knife
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Graph paper
- Pliers (various sizes)
- Scroll saw
- Mini Dremel (diamond cutting disk)
NoCo Time Trials event guidelines
Entry forms
Each entry should include the following:
- Completed car design form
- Photo(s) of car entry and team
Entry forms are due by April 21, 2025 by 5 p.m.
- Online form
- PDF form
- Email completed car design forms and photo(s) to [email protected]
Judging
There are awards for the fastest solar car, fastest battery car, best solar car design and best battery car design.
Speed awards (based on best time):
Each team will be provided with two opportunities (heats) to race their car. The fastest time of the two heats will be recorded for the team and compared against best times of all other teams to determine the winner in both the solar and battery car categories.
Design awards (based on weighted criteria):
Scores will be weighted by design/engineering (D/E) processes and team collaboration efforts. To help judges evaluate the criteria, teams will be asked to respond in writing to questions that address design/engineering and team collaboration. Scoring for each of the criterion will be on a 50-100 scale. Final design scores will be recorded and compared against scores of all other teams to determine the winner in both the solar and battery car categories.
Resources
- Event guidelines (PDF)
- Car building resources and supply list (PDF)
- Entry form (PDF)
- Car building guidance (from NoCo Time Trials participating coach Jeremy Anderson)
Event day notice
A professional photographer will be taking photographs during this event. By participating in the event, you agree that images taken by the photographer may be used in future Platte River print or online publications, news releases, websites, social media and in other communications related to this event. You agree that you waive all claims for any payments or royalties in connection with the use of these images, and you release Platte River from any liability connected with the use of these images. If you (as a parent, teacher, or guardian) do not wish to have yourself or your child photographed, you must inform Platte River staff upon arrival at the event so appropriate precautions may be taken to avoid inadvertently including you or your child in the photographs Platte River uses.