THE SUN is still shining on a college after students raced their solar-powered car nearly 2,000 miles across Australia.

Ardingly College was abuzz with energy when solar power became the hot topic for girls and boys from prep schools around Sussex by taking part in a day aiming to enthuse them about science, technology, engineering and maths.

The event was inspired by the success of the Ardingly Solar Car project when, during a three-year period, the college’s students designed, built and raced their own solar-powered electric vehicle more than 3,000 km across Australia.

During the STEM Day, 80 prep school pupils were divided into groups and given instructions on how to build their own solar car.

Team Five, made up of Emily Thomas from Ardingly, Isabel Wall from Belmont, Fearghus Beauchamp from Great Walstead and Eleanor MacGregor from St Andrews, were declared the winners after fighting off fierce competition from 17 other prep school teams.

Lesley Copping, head of science at Copthorne Preparatory School, said: “The children were absolutely buzzing with excitement and enthusiasm. The next day they were telling all the other children about it.”

The youngsters’ Solar Challenge took place on Ardingly College’s Solar Speedway track, with each team racing the solar powered buggies they had designed and built themselves.

It was a hit with the students and Copthorne Prep pupil Abigail Guest said: “I loved today.

“I’ve never made something as unique and fun as a solar car and even though I didn’t win, it was exciting and wonderful.

“My favourite bit was making the body because I love doing something responsible and independent.

“I made a few new friends and I have to say that the sweet potato soup we had was delicious.”

The day incorporated science, engineering, technology and maths to complete the STEM Day.

It involved the science of investigating solar energy and forces, the technology of the importance of body shape and the use of computer aided design, the engineering of physically building the vehicle and race preparation and Maths as pupils worked out the trigonometry and calculated the angles of the sun.

Ardingly College head boy Matt Price, who was manager of the Ardingly Solar Car project team that raced from Darwin to Adelaide in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge last year, gave a talk to the children about his experience as the legacy of the challenge lives on at the school.