OkillLiving LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN Phone: 905-337-5560 Fax: 905-337-5571 e-mail: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.comThey have the car to get to AustraliaBy David Leastudents we have right now are get-OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFting a lot of hands on experienceand are getting to apply the knowl-heyve got a solar-powered caredge they learned in the classroomthey feel can come out tops into what they are doing right now.Ta 3,000 kilometre race inMy partner is in arts and business,Australia, now all they need is someso she is getting hands on experi-money to get them there.ence and so am I.Oakville resident Brittney Vivian,Learning to work efficiently in a19, is the business coordinator of group is another skill the studentsthe University of Waterloos Midnightreceive through their work on theSun Solar Rayce Car Team.project.The group of around 200 stu-While the solar car project maydents is in the final phases of assem-help students prepare for their placebling their solar-paneled car, whichin the workforce, Vivian says it hasthey plan to enter in the Worldadditional value.Solar Challenge in Australia.I think the message this projectThe solar-powered car racesends is really important. We reallyattracts teams from all over thepromote sustainable energy and itsworld who compete to see whoseuse, so its sort of an encouragingcar can make it the 3,021 kilometresmessage for the future, she said.from Darwin to Adelaide first.I think its a good message toThis years event will be heldsend to youth in the community,from Oct. 16-23.but also older people as well.Our team usually does quiteThe teams entry currentlywell. Were always the top Canadianweighs about 600 lbs, however, theteam, said Vivian.team is hoping to reduce this weightWe aim to place within the topbefore the race.10.Vivian also said her teams carThis years team has quite thehas an average speed of 80-90 kilo-legacy to live up to with themetres and a peak speed of 130University of Waterloos 2004 teamkilometres.getting into the Guinness Book of Speed, however, is not every-World Records after its car traveledthing.more than 15,000 kilometres toIts all about energy manage-secure the Longest Journey by ament, state instructions on theSolar Electric Vehicle title.World Solar Challenge website.The 2011 team is now in theBased on the original notionsecond year of its project, which hasthat a 1000W car would completeseen students from every facultythe journey in 50 hours, solar carsserve as members of the cars elec-are allowed a nominal 5kW hours of trical team, mechanical team andstored energy, which is 10 per centbusiness team.of that theoretical figure. All otherAs a member of the businessenergy must come from the sun orteam Vivian said her job is to pro-be recovered from the kinetic ener-mote and raise money for the proj-gy of the vehicle.ect.Its all about traveling as fast asA kinesiology (science of humanyou can, but as efficiently as youmovement) student, Vivian joinedcan, said Vivian.the Midnight Sun Solar Rayce CarBefore this happens the teamTeam several months ago as part of needs the money to get their car toher co-op program.Australia.I took it because I really want toVivian said the team is seeking tosee the business side of things. Imraise a total of $50,000 of which justthinking of going into chiropractics,$10,000 has been raised so far.whSUBMITTED PHOTOich involves having your ownAnyone interested in donatingclinic possibly, she said.can contact the Midnight Sun SolarYou get hands on experienceTHOUGHTS OF SUNSHINE:Oakville resident Brittney Vivian is the business coordinator of the University of Rayce Car Team at 519-888-4567,with the type of project you areWaterloo's Midnight Sun Solar 'Rayce' Car Team. The team hopes to get their car to Australia for the World Solar Challenge.ext. 32978 or e-mail Vivian atworking with. The electrical co-opBrittney.vivian@uwmidsun.com.www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, April 1, 2011 16