This is the first issue quarterly of the JSS e-newsletter, The Mile Marker, for the 2021-2022 school year. This newsletter brings updates and information on Junior Solar Sprint—a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competition administered by the Technology Student Association (TSA) with a grant awarded by the Army Educational Outreach Program. JSS empowers teachers, mentors, and other community members to engage 5th through 8th grade students in the designing,
building, and racing of model solar cars.
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Check out the latest JSS headlines: |
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Free Kits
This school year there are a limited amount of kits for affiliated TSA middle schools. If you are interested in implementing the JSS program, TSA will provide you with two free Pitsco Ray Catcher Kits on a first come, first serve basis.
If you are an affiliated TSA Title 1 school, contact Sue King (sking@tsaweb.org) to discuss how many additional kits you might need. Each kit contains a solar panel, an electric motor, a pair of small alligator clips for easy hookup; kit contents meet the minimum specifications required by the Junior Solar Sprint competition.
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Getting started with JSS is easy. Here is how to receive your free kits:
- Affiliate your TSA chapter.
- Register at one of the following two links:
Once student members are ready to participate, please have them register also. This data is very important for the JSS program and allows for the distribution of free kits to TSA chapters.
Once steps 1 and 2 are completed, send an email to sking@tsaweb.org with the following information:
- School name
- Shipping address (kits can be mailed to home addresses but not PO boxes)
- How many potential participants
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JSS Resources
Once you are an affiliated TSA chapter, you will have access to JSS resources which include lesson plans and videos. Remember, JSS guidelines can also be accessed on the chapter dashboard in the AMS, under the red Total TSA tab and then the gray Competitions bar.
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JSS Jumpstart
This onsite, elementary school-based event provides 5th and 6th grade students who are housed in elementary schools with a fun, hands-on opportunity to learn more about solar and renewable energy by building solar-powered cars. There is no fee to participate in JSS Jumpstart; however, participants need to purchase their own supplies.
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Looking for ways to give your entry a boost?
Here are some tips and techniques suggested by JSS Event Coordinator Bob Walters:
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Material Selection: lightweight and strong |
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Given that all vehicles use panels with basically the same power output and identical motors one of the most important advantages to design into a vehicle is to have less mass for the panel and motor to move. Also a vehicle that is not stable will have undue friction to overcome. Therefore selecting materials which are both lightweight and strong is essential. |
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Considering that there is a very small amount of power available; it is wasteful to use the limited torque to get wheels, which are heavier and larger than necessary, to turn. Although not a hard and fast rule, wheels two to three inches in diameter, are typically effective. Wheels that are flimsy waste the precious power. |
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Each month, learn more about AEOP and its STEM connections. |
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What is AEOP?
For more than 50 years, AEOP has supported a wide range of educational opportunities in STEM for youth, college, and graduate students, as well as valued teachers. From elementary school through graduate school, students of all proficiency levels, interests, and social and economic backgrounds are encouraged to participate in real-world STEM experiences while also engaging with Army-sponsored mentors.
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Do you have a story and/or photos featuring your JSS team?
They could be highlighted in this section.
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