CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — The rain held off and the sun shone bright enough Friday morning for Kubasaki High School students to get a firsthand look at a solar-powered car designed and built by local Japanese students.

The mechanical engineering students from Nambu Technical High School in Naha spent the past several months perfecting their creation. And the Kubasaki students were quite impressed, especially those who got to test-drive the car.

“That was so cool,” Abagail Crouson said enthusiastically as a large, flat panel was lifted off the car so she could get out.

The 10th-grader was beaming as she recounted her experience to friends.

“It was awesome. I was scared at first as I didn’t want to break it,” Crouson said. “My heart was beating so fast.” Kubasaki engineering teacher Jon Walden set up the visit and demonstration after seeing a flyer in an off-base electronics store.

Walden said he wanted to show his students how easy it is to use solar panels to harness the sun’s energy.

“I want one. I want to build my own one,” said Crouson. “Except it’s going to be hot pink.”

The Nambu students are now designing a new, larger vehicle, which will be entered in the World Solar Challenge 2011 to be held in Australia in October, according to their teacher, Satoru IIsuka.

The World Solar Challenge is a 3,000 kilometer race from Darwin to Adelaide featuring cars that use the sun’s rays for energy.

The annual race has teams from all over the world competing, and IIzuka said his is the first non-Australian high school team to enter the prestigious event.

For Walden, it was a day he hopes will hit home for his students.

“I wanted to show the kids just what can be achieved at a high school level,” he said.

orrm@pstripes.osd.mil

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