With the cooperation of the bright May sun, 13 teams of Wilson Junior High students raced their solar-powered cars at the school’s 2nd Annual Solar Car Competition.

Nearly 30 students met weekly in the year-long, after-school Solar Car Club. With the help of teachers and staff, student teams created their own solar-powered cars using principles of physics, math and science.

“This has been a fun experience for kids to get introduced to alternative energy sources,” said Diane Storey, Wilson Junior High teacher and Solar Car Club facilitator.

The Solar Car Club is offered by the Wilson Talent Search Program, which emphasizes the importance of reading, math and technology and provides students and parents with information about careers, college opportunities and financial aid. Wilson Junior High is in the Council Bluffs Community School District, and funding is provided through a U.S. Department of Education TRIO Talent Search Grant, obtained and managed by the AIM Institute.

“The grant provides Wilson with new and exciting programs for youth as well as parents and teachers,” said Nadine Baker, AIM’s Talent Search Grant Manager. Featuring after-school activities, classroom enrichment and summer camps, the mission of Talent Search is to support students while they are enrolled in junior high school and high school so they can successfully graduate and pursue postsecondary education.

For more information about Wilson’s Talent Search Program, click here or contact Nadine Baker at 402-345-5025 ext. 104.