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(Posted 7:30
a.m., Oct. 3)
Model solar boat competition proves to be a huge success
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
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 Tara
Shadzik (left) and Lauren Trebels from Henry Munro Middle School try to
navigate their solar boat down the course during the solar boat race and
design competition at École secondaire Gisèle-Lalonde on Friday. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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Close to 200
budding environmentalist from eight different schools took part in the first
annual solar boat race and design competition at École secondaire Gisèle-Lalonde
on Friday.
The students
were divided into teams of up to seven people. Each team had to design and
build their boats from scratch using solar panels provided by Sun Wind in
Vancouver and propellers provided by Kidwind in Minnesota. The rest of the
materials had to be everyday items with an emphasis on recycling.
The boats were
then judged for creativity before being put to the ultimate test in a 30-metre
pool. Team members were only allowed to guide the boats if they went off
course. A number of flashlights were also at the ready in case the sun happened
to pull a disappearing act, but for the most part they were not needed.
The winning entry,
built by Gisèle-Lalonde Team #1 consisting of Pascale Lachance, Frederick
Sunstrum, Eric Azzi, Seamus Pleau-Smith, Alexandre Emond and Brendan-Kyle
Wilson-Deschamps, covered the course in 40 seconds, one second faster than
Gisèle-Lalonde Team #3 and two seconds better than École Élementaire de
la Rivière-Castor from Embrun.
The top boat
utilized a catamaran design with plastic chocolate milk bottles for the
two pontoons.
The prize for
the most creative design went to Fallingbrook Community Elementary School
Team #1 and the top marks for Team Spirit went to Henry Larsen Elementary
School who showed up with wigs, noise makers, assorted other accessories
and even a mascot. They also had the most original cheer.
Other schools
that competed include Henry Munro Middle School, École elementaire publique
l'Odysée in Orléans and L'academie de la Seigneurie in Casselman and École
secondaire publique De La Salle.
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The
team of Pascale Lachance, Frederick Sunstrum, Eric Azzi, Seamus Pleau-Smith,
Alexandre Emond and Brendan-Kyle Wilson-Deschamps pose with their model boat
after winning the first annual model solar boat race and design competition at
École secondaire Gisèle-Lalonde. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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The event was
co-organized by Gisèle-Lalonde and Projet Karyne which is heavily involved
in events than promote the use of renewable energy.
Projet Karyne
was launched in 2006 in memory of Karyne Maisonneuve who died from cancer
that same year at the age of eight. The organization is run by Karyne's
parents Mary Lou and Carl Maisonneuve and her siblings Paul, Marc and Elyse.
The entire family
was on hand Friday to help the event run as smoothly as possible. The solar
boat race is a follow up to the model solar car race which was held at the
school last spring.
"This is
a lot bigger and the kids are really into it. They've been yelling ever
since they first got here," said Elyse who was the official timer of
the boat race.
Heather MacLeod
brought 23 enthusiastic kids from Henry Munro. The Grade 7 and 8 science
teacher said the event was beneficial to the kids on a number of levels.
"It teachers
the kids a lot about solar energy, but it also gives them an appreciation
of having to work together. It's about teamwork, cooperation and supporting
each other," said MacLeod.
Mary Lou Maisonneuve
says they plan to hold another solar car competition next spring and a solar
boat race again next year.
"This has
been such a success. Hopefully next year we'll have even more schools competing,"
said Maisonneuve.
(This story
was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local
business partners.)
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