Hundreds of middle school students from across the Northeast will converge on the Springfield Museums' Quadrangle on June 14 to compete in the 11th annual Northeast Regional Junior Solar Sprint model solar car competition organized by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA). Racing begins at 10 a.m. and is open to the public. Awards will be presented at 3 p.m.

The Junior Solar Sprint challenges students to build a miniature solar car given only a standard solar panel and motor. The chassis, wheels and transmissions are made from any other materials. Teams compete for top awards in Innovation, Craftsmanship, Technical Merit, and Speed. One team will be honored as the Grand Champion, while another will win the Kids’ Choice Award. Recognition will also be awarded for best reuse of materials and artistic merit.

Last year’s regional competition saw several unique cars including a solar variation on “Herbie-the-Luv-Bug” and several solar-powered animals such as a butterfly car that flew home with an Artistic Merit Award and a turtle that walked away with the same.

The Junior Solar Sprint was originally started by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the early 1990s. Since then, over 100,000 kids have taken part in the program.

Every year, NESEA invites top winners from local Sprint races across the Northeast to compete at the regional championship. This year, participants from 21 area races will compete. The event will also include renewable energy exhibits and food concessions.