Epoxy on your gloves, sawdust on the floor, and a hull slowly taking shape. Anyone walking into the Scholen aan Zee solar team sees not a school assignment, but a project being seriously worked on.<\/p>\n
Two afternoons a week, students are building a solar boat for the Young Solar Challenge. Not a prototype, but a boat that will soon actually take to the water. Using sunlight as the sole fuel. Scholen aan Zee is the only school in North Holland participating in this challenge.<\/p>\n
Bart, Gijs, Merad, and Elize, among others, are standing at the workbench. Supervisor Sjoerd walks around, asks questions, and helps provide guidance where necessary, but the thinking lies with the students themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are not allowed to charge in between,\u201d Merad explains. \u201cNo power outlets. Only the sun counts.\u201d During race weekends, the teams cover distances of up to forty kilometers a day. Batteries dead? Then you have to adjust your speed. Sailing too fast is not an option.<\/p>\n
All participating schools receive the same construction kit and the same rules. The shape is fixed, as are the materials. The difference lies in the execution: how precisely do you work, how do you tune the motor, how do you distribute the weight, how do you coordinate the solar panels and batteries? But the real difference lies in collaboration.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to stay calm,\u201d says Bart. \u201cThink first, then act.\u201d During a sailing test, a solar panel came loose and ended up in the water. Waves under a bridge were a bit of a scare. But two weeks later, they had to sail again.
\n\u201cWe had to come up with a solution quickly,\u201d he says. So repairs were carried out, tests were conducted, and work continued.<\/p>\n
The project is voluntary, but not without obligation. This year, seventeen students are participating, ranging from the lower years to the final exam year. The team has been deliberately expanded so that younger students can gain experience and knowledge can be passed on. \u201cI\u2019m not participating to win,\u201d says one of the students. \u201cBut for the experience.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to technical skills, they learn to plan, communicate, and take responsibility here. During the first race weekend, the boat undergoes a full safety inspection. Skippers must take tests. Everything must be correct before sailing is permitted.<\/p>\n For Bart, the project is particularly concrete. He wants to work in service and maintenance for the navy later on. \u201cIn that case, this is certainly good preparation.\u201d In addition to their diploma, the students receive a certificate for their participation.<\/p>\n With the number of sunshine hours in Den Helder, they certainly have a good starting position. But sun alone doesn't win a race. It's about discipline, cooperation, and perseverance.<\/p>\n The boat will be launched later this spring.<\/p>\n Sponsors wanted<\/strong> Students from Scholen aan Zee are building a solar boat for the Young Solar Challenge. They work two afternoons a week on a boat that runs solely on sunlight. Sponsors are welcome to make the project possible.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":22197,"template":"","doelgroep":[6027,6028],"class_list":["post-22196","actueel","type-actueel","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","elementor_library_category-onderwijs","doelgroep-inwoner","doelgroep-inwoner-regio"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/strong>Some build, others deal with planning, communication, and finances.
\n<\/strong>\u201cWe arrange the sponsors ourselves,\u201d Elize explains. \u201cWe send emails and contact companies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAnyone who wants to help build this project can join as a sponsor via solarteamlyceum@scholenaanzee.nl<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"