What is Junior Solar Sprints?
Junior Solar Sprints is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) competition that engages students to design, build and race solar-powered model cars. For JSS participants, materials (including solar panels), instruction and professional development workshops are provided free of charge. The program also adheres to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
2025 Junior Solar Sprints: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Hershfield Park in Pompton Lakes, NJ
2025 Winners:
Engineering:
- Solaris Voyager – Valley View Middle
- The Flamin’ Hot Cheetos – Green Hills School
- Da Tank – Ridge and Valley Charter
Upcycled Materials:
- Da Tank – Ride and Valley Charter
- The Flame Throwers – Harding Township
- Mazzy Car – Ridge and Valley Charter
Craftsmanship
- Tim Cheese Mobile – David E Owens
- LeGalaxy – David E Owens
- Presley Gals – Ogdensburg School
Speed:
- The Florida Man – Mountain View Middle
- A Piece of Cake – Mount Pleasant
- Dr. Medd – All Saints Catholic Academy
And our overall winner of the 2025 JSS event is:
A Piece of Cake from Mount Pleasant !!
Congratulations to all of our participants!
Timeline:
- April 25: Registration Forms Due
- May 1: Video Journals Due (Shared as access to a Google Drive file, or as an email attachment)
- May 12: Top 65 teams will be announced and invited to Finals via email
- May 20 (rain date 5/22): Junior Solar Sprints Finals to be held at Hershfield Park, Pompton Lakes, NJ
- JSS Finals Schedule
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- Invited Teams Arrival: 8:30 AM
- Racing Begins: 9:00 AM
- Event Concludes: 12:30 PM
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Who Can Participate?
- Teams consist of up to four students.
- Students in grades 6 through 8
- Students between the ages of 11 and 14 participating in community or after-school groups
- Students who live or attend school in the Avenues in Motion service area
Click here to view video submissions from past JSS competitions.
Email our Environmental Education Manager here to add your name to our JSS educator list – you will receive our monthly JSS updates as well as additional information as deadlines get closer. Visit our Materials and Resources page for helpful tips.