Tesuque Pueblo, Shiprock teams clean up at PNM solar car race

Posted by Colleen Keane | May 19, 2016 | People |

ALBUQUERQUE

Navajo Times | Photo by Colleen Keane
Two solar car racers get ready for the countdown the PNM solar car race held at the Explora Museum.

The Oklahoma Thunders from the Tesuque Pueblo Te Tsu Geh Oweenge elementary placed first for speed at the 22nd annual PNM Solar Car Races held on May 6 at the Explora Museum.

“I am so proud of them,” said Veronica Martinez, Te Tsu Geh Oweenge School principal. “They look forward every year to this race. This was their goal.”

Martinez said the students worked hard during the school year to build, design and test their solar cars.

“They did a lot of research on where to put the solar panel and where to put the weight on the car.”

Before the races, dozens of PNM staff members volunteer to work with students teaching them how to build their cars so that the solar panels are placed in the best angle to attract the sun. Then they help students cut, solder and glue the solar panels onto the cars.

Submitted | Central Consolidated Schools
From far bottom left: Eva B. Stokely elementary students Jamie Shorty, Binnaahozhoonii Howard, Autumn Littlehat, Anaeya Yazzie, Shaine Joe and Lewis Campbell pose for a picture for being top winners at the 22nd annual PNM Solar Car Races held on May 6 at the Explora Museum.

“We had to make it light, so it would go faster,” said Gustavo Ramirez, a member of the Oklahoma Thunder team.

Teams including the Knights and the Road Runners from the Eva B. Stokely Elementary School in Shiprock, N.M. placed first for overall competition, design and aesthetics.

“They cleaned up,” said Vivian Begay, one of the PNM staff from the San Juan Generating Plant who volunteered at Eva B. Stokely. “I am very proud of them. This was their first time (winning).

“It’s good to see them learn about solar (energy) and how it works. They get really excited,” she added.

Eva B. Stokely students couldn’t attend the event due to limited funding.

Students from Mesa Elementary in Shiprock raced their cars for them. The Eva B. Stokely winners will be honored during a school assembly on May 27.

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