1. STELR Solar Car construction notes
Decline in students studying maths and science in schools.
Some of the decline can be explained by the introduction of ‘other’ courses that may have taken away students from Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
STELR Solar Car construction notes
Based on slides provided by Helen Marussinszky, Mitcham Girls HS, South Australia

2. The basic circuit board
Some circuitry is in place.
Some components have been soldered on.

3. Let’s do the gearbox 2 nuts 2 washers 2 bolts gearbox
A study run by the Australian Childhood Foundation showed that children are worried about climate change.
They are also worried about personal issues like bullying and divorce, however climate change comes in at the top of the ‘non-personal’ worries.
In 2009 ATSE received the first federal government grant of $2million to develop the first STELR module with one of its main aims to encourage more prac work (often not done because teacher teaching out of field)
Often physics components of general science being taught by those teaching ‘out of field’, for example by biology or chemistry teachers who are not confident with their physics (or even phys ed teachers).

4. Let’s do the gearbox
place the gearbox on the circuit board so that the axle is over the white line
put one bolt through the slot (right)
put the other bolt through the hole (left)
thread the washer and nut onto each bolt
A study run by the Australian Childhood Foundation showed that children are worried about climate change.
They are also worried about personal issues like bullying and divorce, however climate change comes in at the top of the ‘non-personal’ worries.
In 2009 ATSE received the first federal government grant of $2million to develop the first STELR module with one of its main aims to encourage more prac work (often not done because teacher teaching out of field)
Often physics components of general science being taught by those teaching ‘out of field’, for example by biology or chemistry teachers who are not confident with their physics (or even phys ed teachers).

5. Let’s do the gearbox
Line up the axle with the white line on the circuit board.
A study run by the Australian Childhood Foundation showed that children are worried about climate change.
They are also worried about personal issues like bullying and divorce, however climate change comes in at the top of the ‘non-personal’ worries.
In 2009 ATSE received the first federal government grant of $2million to develop the first STELR module with one of its main aims to encourage more prac work (often not done because teacher teaching out of field)
Often physics components of general science being taught by those teaching ‘out of field’, for example by biology or chemistry teachers who are not confident with their physics (or even phys ed teachers).

6. Let’s do the gearbox Tighten the bolts, keeping the axle aligned.
A study run by the Australian Childhood Foundation showed that children are worried about climate change.
They are also worried about personal issues like bullying and divorce, however climate change comes in at the top of the ‘non-personal’ worries.
In 2009 ATSE received the first federal government grant of $2million to develop the first STELR module with one of its main aims to encourage more prac work (often not done because teacher teaching out of field)
Often physics components of general science being taught by those teaching ‘out of field’, for example by biology or chemistry teachers who are not confident with their physics (or even phys ed teachers).

7. Strip the wires - practice
Cut a piece of wire
Attach an alligator clip to the wire about 1 cm from the end
Hold the wire with pliers and twirl the alligator clip 10 – 15 times
Pull the alligator clip off the end, stripping off the insulation
Try again with the other end of the wire
A study run by the Australian Childhood Foundation showed that children are worried about climate change.
They are also worried about personal issues like bullying and divorce, however climate change comes in at the top of the ‘non-personal’ worries.
In 2009 ATSE received the first federal government grant of $2million to develop the first STELR module with one of its main aims to encourage more prac work (often not done because teacher teaching out of field)
Often physics components of general science being taught by those teaching ‘out of field’, for example by biology or chemistry teachers who are not confident with their physics (or even phys ed teachers).

8. Strip the wires - motor Take care!
Hold the wires close to the motor with pliers so the wires are not pulled out of the motor.
A study run by the Australian Childhood Foundation showed that children are worried about climate change.
They are also worried about personal issues like bullying and divorce, however climate change comes in at the top of the ‘non-personal’ worries.
In 2009 ATSE received the first federal government grant of $2million to develop the first STELR module with one of its main aims to encourage more prac work (often not done because teacher teaching out of field)
Often physics components of general science being taught by those teaching ‘out of field’, for example by biology or chemistry teachers who are not confident with their physics (or even phys ed teachers).

9. Attach the motor wires
A study run by the Australian Childhood Foundation showed that children are worried about climate change.
They are also worried about personal issues like bullying and divorce, however climate change comes in at the top of the ‘non-personal’ worries.
In 2009 ATSE received the first federal government grant of $2million to develop the first STELR module with one of its main aims to encourage more prac work (often not done because teacher teaching out of field)
Often physics components of general science being taught by those teaching ‘out of field’, for example by biology or chemistry teachers who are not confident with their physics (or even phys ed teachers).

10. Attach the solar cells
Use the rubber bands to attach the solar cells to the power board (car body).

11. Attach the solar cell wires
Strip the wires of both cells and attach to the circuit board
Red - positive
Black - negative

12. Connect the solar cells
Cut a strip a piece of wire.
Use it to connect the two solar cells as shown.

13. Connect the capacitor with the solar cells
Cut a strip another piece of wire.
Use it to connect the motor to the positive terminal of solar cell 1, as shown.

14. Connect the capacitor with the motor
Cut a strip another piece of wire.
Use it to connect the positive terminal of the capacitor to the positive terminal of the motor, as shown.

15. Connect the capacitor with the switch
Cut a strip another piece of wire.
Use it to connect the negative terminal of the capacitor to switch 2 (far right screw), as shown.

16. Connect the switches Cut a strip another piece of wire.
Use it to connect switch 2 to switch 1 (middle two screws), as shown.

17. Connect the switches with the solar cells
Cut a strip another piece of wire.
Use it to connect switch 1 (middle screw), to the negative terminal of solar cell 2, as shown.

18. Connect switch 1 with the motor
Cut a strip another piece of wire.
Use it to connect switch 1 (far left screw), to the negative terminal of the motor.

19. Rear wheel suspension
Click the three yellow pieces into the circuit board (car body) as shown.

20. Rear axle and wheels
Click in the axle and push on the wheels.

21. Front wheels Push on the front wheels.
Add a tiny amount of vaseline to the cogs in the gear box.

22. Final check
Does your look like this?

23. Final check
Does your look like this?

24. Let’s race!

25. Challenges Who can make the fastest car? On a straight track
On a circular track (adjust the front axle position)
Who can make the most powerful car?
Climb the steepest hill
Carry the heaviest load
Who can make the best looking car?