The Somerset High School (Somerset Independent) Solar Jumpers team is the reigning champion of the Solar Car Challenge Electric-Solar Powered Division. Photo courtesy Roddy Parkinson, official race photographer for the Solar Car Challenge
(SOMERSET, KY) – With a shared passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), students at Somerset High School (Somerset Independent) have combined their skills and creativity to design and construct a solar car capable of competing in races. For these students, it’s not just about the car or the competition; it’s about learning, teamwork and pushing the boundaries of what they thought was possible.
When creating the Solar Jumpers team, Brian Coleman, team founder and program adviser, said he was looking for an inclusive type of project that implemented soft skills, character development and project-based learning initiatives. The Solar Jumpers program provides students with experiences that include planning, project management, fundraising, social media management and engineering.
“It starts producing skill sets in students and starts letting them see how things play in the big picture and how all things are interrelated with one another. So, when we’re doing this, the idea was to come up with a program that did this, and the Solar Car Challenge … is one of the best programs out there to incorporate all of those things that we’re trying to,” Coleman said.
The Solar Car Challenge was established by Lehman Marks in 1993 to help motivate students in science and engineering and to increase alternative energy awareness. The challenge teaches high school students around the world how to build roadworthy solar cars.
The Somerset Solar Jumpers are the reigning 2024 Solar Car Challenge national champions in the Electric-Solar Powered Division, winning all four daily lap awards as well and the Chris Jones Sportsmanship Award.
Members of the Somerset High School Solar Jumpers team following the 2024 Solar Car Challenge. Photo courtesy Roddy Parkinson, official race photographer for the Solar Car Challenge
The Solar Jumpers team is preparing to make a large impression on the judges at the Solar Car Challenge this year by prioritizing collaboration over competition. Coleman said the students are focusing on attention to detail and sharing everything with one another when it comes to building the solar car.
“Teamwork plays a huge role, like the backbone of this team is not one of us here, probably the four of us alone couldn’t have made that car by ourselves. So many people will have to come together and work and dedicate themselves to building this car for it to end up a success,” said John Lakey, a senior at Somerset High School and Solar Jumpers mechanical lead and driver for the 2025 competition.
David Ledford, a senior at Somerset High School and member of the Solar Jumpers, said the physical and social skills he has learned are incredible, but he believes the biggest thing he has gained from the program is a new state of mind. Ledford said he thinks about what the team is doing next and less of what he is doing.
“It really helps me with patience, time management, working with the team and everything because you can’t just be yourself; you have to be a team,” Ledford said.
The first requirement for the 2025 Solar Car Challenge began with an intent to race form, filed in early September, which consists of a team declaring their interest in the competition. The second requirement for all teams is to provide detailed designs and schematics by March 1. The third requirement is an eight-minute presentation video, without edits, covering the entire build and engineering design process, due within the first two weeks of June.
The fourth requirement is the pass a three-day “scrutineering” process where all mechanical, electrical, safety and handling designs, components and functions of the car are tested and evaluated. Students must pass all stations by the end of the third day to be eligible to race over the next four days.
Coleman said the purpose of these requirements is to act as proof that the students have done the work on their own. Advisers are not allowed to be present or assist during this process. Students must demonstrate that they designed and were responsible for all aspects of the build and answer all technical questions posed by the teams of industry judges and engineers.
“Once the team passes all checkpoints and earns the right to compete in the race, students will be required to manage all aspects of the four-day 2025 closed-track race at the famed Texas Motor Speedway,” Coleman said. “So, they actually run the race themselves. They make race decisions based upon immediate conditions as the race progresses by collecting weather and vehicle data with telemetry systems on the car.”
Some of the most memorable and challenging moments for the team surrounded issues with the car’s design and came just days before their first major race. Anderson Ruble, a senior at Somerset High School and Solar Jumpers co-captain said the team discovered issues surrounding the motor, which wasn’t functioning properly, and the car was struggling to drive up hills.
“We thought for a second we couldn’t go to the race because we wouldn’t have been competitive at the race because our car couldn’t drive properly. But we were able to figure it out and we ended up purchasing a new motor that was really good for our car and that was a really rewarding experience,” Ruble said.
The team meets with Coleman over the weekends to continue working on the solar car. Ledford said Coleman also provides extra time for the students to dedicate to the building of the car during one of the classes he teaches throughout the day.
Though the project is demanding, it is also deeply rewarding. For many members, the skills they’ve gained through this project will carry them far beyond high school into studying engineering in college. The students balance the rigorous work of building the car with their academic responsibilities by using planners, said Anderson Ruble.
The Solar Car Challenge 2025 competition will be held at the Texas Motor Speedway from July 16-23.
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