he Red Bank High car cruises to victory in the Chattanooga Green Prix
The second annual Chattanooga Green Prix was held last Saturday at Chattanooga State Community College.
"Ask the students, and they will say it was fun, but the racers were also learning how to problem solve and engineer a faster, more efficient car," organizers said.
Rivermont Elementary and Red Bank High placed first overall in their respective division. Teams from 28 Hamilton County Schools built cars during the year and participated in the race event.
The schools participating received a base Greenpower USA kit car with a chassis, wheels, motor, batteries and instructions to assemble the kits. The students were encouraged to create a shell for the car using as many recycled materials as possible. The teams also learned how to charge the batteries for their car using renewable energy from solar power or other sources.
The student builders had the opportunity to identify tweaks to make the car go faster, including adjustments to the aerodynamics and alignment. Honing driving techniques also proved to be very valuable in the races, officials said.
Students in the elementary school division competed in Goblin style carts. There were only two elementary school teams from Hamilton County Schools in the event in the first year, but that number jumped to 14 schools participating this year. Rivermont Elementary placed first overall in the elementary division.
The middle and high school teams from Hamilton County Schools participating increased from five last year to 14 in the longer middle and high school F24 Division race. Hixson Middle placed second overall in the middle school division. Red Bank High finished first overall in the event in the high school division.
Teams were also honored for presentation and endurance in the competition. Hardy Elementary took first in presentation for the elementary division. Harrison Elementary won the Bill Perry Perseverance Award. Hixson Middle took first place in endurance, and Ooltewah Middle placed first in the presentation category. Red Bank High also finished first in the endurance category.
Teams participating included Barger Academy, Brainerd High, Brown Elementary, Calvin Donaldson Elementary, Central High, Clifton Hills Elementary, Dalewood Middle, East Lake Academy, East Lake Elementary, Hardy Elementary, Harrison Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, Hixson Middle, Howard High, Lookout Valley Elementary, Nolan Elementary, Ooltewah Middle, Orchard Knob Elementary, Orchard Knob Middle, Red Bank Elementary, Red Bank Middle, Red Bank High, Rivermont Elementary, Sequoyah High, Signal Mountain High, Soddy Daisy Middle, STEM School and Woodmore Elementary.