The first District Solar Competition for Rockingham County Public Schools (RCPS) proved to be an overwhelming success, bringing together students from J. Frank Hillyard Middle School, Montevideo Middle School, Elkton Middle School, and Wilbur Pence Middle School in a day of innovation, problem-solving, and collaborative learning.
A Multifaceted Educational Experience
What made this competition truly remarkable was how it seamlessly integrated multiple disciplines. Students weren't just building solar-powered models—they were applying mathematics to calculate energy requirements, scientific principles to harness solar power, engineering skills to design functional structures, and public speaking abilities to present their projects to judges.
"This challenge is teaching you something even more important: resilience," noted Tammy Stone, RCPS’s Science, STEM, and Challenge Supervisor, during the opening remarks. "There were times when your circuits didn't work the first time. There were times when your solar panels didn't generate as much power as you hoped. But you adapted, adjusted, and tried again. That's what real-world problem-solving is all about."
Innovative Projects Showcase Student Creativity
The variety of projects demonstrated the creativity and ingenuity of the young innovators. Team "Solar Baby" from J. Frank Hillyard, which received 3rd place, focused on creating environmentally friendly solutions with sustainable materials.
"We are trying to be as green as possible and create healthy environments with the challenges," explained team members Caleb, Noah, and Connor. Their success stems from the diverse skills each student brings—computer programming, marketing, and engineering.
Other notable projects included a solar-powered RV designed for "glamping" from "Green Glampers," which featured a fireplace with fairy lights and an outdoor shower. The team from Montevideo Middle School created "The WYRM," a solar-powered library where a fan flips pages and fairy lights illuminate when someone sits in the chair.
Beyond Classroom Learning
The competition extended learning beyond traditional classroom settings. Students participated in a solar farm tour hosted by Solar Tribe and Dominion Power, gaining first-hand knowledge about renewable energy infrastructure. For students Reese and Riley from Elkton Middle School, this was their first time seeing something like this, and the experience introduced them to concepts like AC and DC power in real-world applications.
The "Instant Challenge" component tested students' ability to think quickly and solve unexpected problems—skills essential for future STEM careers. Grayson and Ian from Wilbur Pence exemplified the spirit of experimentation and persistence during this portion of the event.
"We had to adjust the sail several times to find the right fit," they explained. "It was okay for a little bit but then it ended up just not working so we had a new idea to make it go further." Their dedication to troubleshooting paid off: "Lots of troubleshooting, but it went a total of 13 feet, which might be the furthest."
This hands-on experience with trial and error reflects real-world engineering processes, where initial designs often require multiple iterations before achieving optimal performance. The instant challenge fostered an environment where students learned that failure is simply a step toward success.
The competition also fostered peer learning, as teams voted on each other's projects, encouraging students to evaluate and appreciate different approaches to similar challenges.
Partners and Facilitators: A Community Effort
The success of the inaugural Solar Competition was made possible through the collaborative efforts of numerous organizations and dedicated educators. This community-wide investment in student learning highlights the importance of renewable energy education in Rockingham County.
Key Partners:
Solar Tribe and Dominion Power provided the educational Solar Tour, giving students first-hand exposure to commercial solar energy installations
Center for the Advancement of Sustainable Energy (CASE) hosted the event and offered their expertise, led by Remy Pangle, Director of Education and Outreach at CASE and State Facilitator for the Wind for Schools (WfS) program in Virginia
Anna Reyes and Kim Ward from CASE provided additional support and expertise throughout the event
Educational Support:
Obe Hostetter and Kajsa Svarfvar, New Teacher Mentors/ITRTs, provided technical and logistical support
Challenge secondary teachers served as coaches for their respective schools:
Amy Benns
Caitlin Grant
Tracy Rhodes
Kelly Scott
The involvement of these organizations and educators demonstrates how school-community partnerships can create powerful learning experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom settings. Their collective expertise provided students with authentic contexts for applying their knowledge while connecting them to potential career pathways in renewable energy and sustainability.
Winners and Recognition
The competition recognized excellence across all participating schools:
J. Frank Hillyard Middle School:
1st Place: Solar Innovators (Mason Tinnell, Aaron Gingerich)
2nd Place: Green Glampers (Caroline Carrier, Braelyn Jordan)
3rd Place: Solar Baby (Caleb Combs, Noah Higgi, Connor Harner)
Wilbur Pence Middle School:
1st Place: Solar Gals (Cambrie Scheermesser, Abbie Hunt, Ellie Stratton, Kayla Helmick)
2nd Place: Solar Supporters (Brayden Galloway, Fischer Wallace, Robert Ham, Berkley Shiflet)
3rd Place: Solar Designers (Blaine Heiston, Aland Hazim, Yousif Mohammad, Israel Samuel)
Montevideo Middle School:
1st Place: The Illumination Nation (Mila Koontz, Lindsey Lotts, Peyson Liskey, Grace Baker)
2nd Place: Sunshine Paradise (Audrey Loucks, Julia Iwanicki, Macy Neese, Leah Cubbage)
3rd Place: The Three Musketeers (Lily Ogden, Averie Clement, Caroline Leopard)
Elkton Middle School:
1st Place: Gingerbread Girls (Reese Short, Riley Breeden)
2nd Place: The Barnhouse Bros (Daniel Manley, Peyton Kite, Brooks Baker, Mark Nosyk)
3rd Place: The Planterz (Ally Morris, Cameron Youngman, Kelly Breeden, Rebecca Marrin)
A Glimpse Into the Future
The competition provided more than just a day of activities—it offered students a glimpse into potential future careers. As Mrs. Stone noted in her speech: "Maybe one day, you'll be designing smart cities, inventing new sources of clean energy, or engineering homes that can withstand extreme weather. Maybe you'll become a scientist creating breakthroughs in renewable energy or an entrepreneur launching the next big innovation in green technology."
The success of Rockingham County's first District Solar Competition demonstrates the power of integrated, hands-on learning experiences that bridge multiple disciplines. By challenging students to tackle real-world problems with renewable energy solutions, the event prepared them not just for academic success, but for future careers in an increasingly sustainability-focused world.
As Walt Disney was quoted in the opening remarks by Mrs. Stone: "If you can dream it, you can do it." For these young innovators, the solar competition was just the beginning of turning their dreams into reality.