June 27, 2025- Rowland Water District’s (RWD) Fourth Annual Mini Solar Challenge brought together imagination, engineering, and perseverance as 487 fifth and sixth grade students from six local schools competed in a series of hands-on challenges throughout the school year.  Last month’s event demonstrated the creativity and resilience of participating students, even as inclement weather threatened the solar-powered race day.

“The Mini Solar Challenge continues to shine as a reflection of our educational program’s impact,” said Brittnie Gildea, RWD’s Marketing & Social Media Coordinator.  “Each year, these students rise to the occasion with enthusiasm and determination. This year, they powered through even without the sun. Their drive and teamwork are truly impressive.”

The program included a writing challenge, a public service announcement challenge, and ended with the mini solar challenge race. Participants from Rowland Unified School District (RUSD) and Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD) engaged in weeks of design and testing as part of an interdisciplinary STEM curriculum.  In both fifth and sixth grades, individual and team winners were celebrated for their creativity, writing and presentation skills, and engineering acumen.

In the Writing Challenge, fifth grader Carol J. from Jellick Elementary took first place, followed by Jameson S. from Wedgeworth Elementary in second, and Belle S. from Yorbita Elementary in third. For sixth grade, Brandon D. from Jellick Elementary earned the top honor, with Destiny F. from Northam Elementary and Nikki T. from Blandford Elementary taking second and third place.

The PSA Challenge saw strong entries across the board. Fifth grade winners included Karis D. from Wedgeworth Elementary in first place, Mia M., also from Wedgeworth, in second, and Jemma Y. from Rowland Elementary in third. Among sixth graders, Ashton K. from Blandford Elementary earned first place, Andrea B. from Yorbita Elementary placed second, and the team of Joshua P. and Adan from Jellick Elementary came in third.

With overcast skies on race day, students showed particular ingenuity and adaptability in the Solar Car Race. The fifth-grade race was won by the team of Benito R., Josiah M., and Nallely from Northam Elementary. The team from Jellick Elementary, Hassan H., Yashiro L., and Brandon D., placed second, while Nolan C., Jemmy W., and Sean X. from Wedgeworth Elementary came in third. In the sixth-grade race, first place went to Mia H., Ziyu Y., and Penelope C. from Jellick Elementary. Nikolas M., Kaelie J., and Brenda R. from Northam Elementary secured second place, and their schoolmates David F., Moises P., and Monserrath V. followed closely in third.

RWD’s Mini Solar Challenge continues to foster innovation and real-world problem solving in the classroom. With another successful year completed, educators and students are already looking ahead to next year’s milestone fifth annual competition.

For more information about RWD’s Mini Solar Challenge, please visit RWD.org