(Posted 7:30 a.m., Oct. 3)
Model solar boat competition proves to be a huge success
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

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

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.

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

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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