Bright Minds, Fast Cars: Solar Car Students Take to the Track

Despite an overcast sky, the 28th annual Texas Solar Race Car Event roared to life and crossed the finish line without a hitch.

This high-energy event marked the culmination of weeks of hard work by students who designed and built their own miniature solar-powered cars. While the race celebrates solar innovation, cloudy weather isn't a deal breaker—each car is equipped with a backup battery, ensuring the competition goes on, rain or shine.

This year, more than 260 teams—comprising around 1,000 elementary and middle school students—put their creations to the test. Each team, typically made up of three to four students, represented one of 48 elementary schools or 13 middle schools participating in the program.

After rounds of preliminary heats, semifinals, and the final race, winners were crowned in both the elementary and middle school divisions.

The Solar Cars program is a free, after-school STEM initiative designed for students in grades four through eight. Participants receive a solar panel, gearbox, and axle rods—but everything else is up to their creativity and engineering know-how. Along the way, students strengthen their collaboration, problem-solving, and design skills.

Launched in 1996 with just 16 students from Rayburn Middle School, the Solar Car Races originally featured categories for team presentations, poster designs, and race results. As the event grew, the focus shifted exclusively to racing, but its mission remains the same: to ignite young minds through hands-on science and engineering.

Click here to view pictures from the event.