As many as 200 local students convened at Lodi High School last year for the Second Annual Solar Schoolhouse Olympics, a day-long event sponsored by Lodi Electric Utility. Participants displayed solar-powered creations and learned more about alternative forms of energy. (Courtesy photo)

Solar Schoolhouse Olympics sending kids on this year's hottest power trip

Gas prices may be soaring, but this Saturday some locals will turn their attention to a different power source — the sun.

The Third Annual Solar Schoolhouse Olympics, sponsored by Lodi Electric Utility, will give kids a chance to shine as they show off their own solar-powered creations, including cars, cookers and art projects.

More than 200 students from local schools will convene at Lodi High School at 9 a.m. where, on sun-drenched tennis courts and soccer fields, they will test the merit of their designs.

This year's Solar Olympics will be more than an exercise in academic prowess, it will be a lesson about the potential solar power will have in the future as an alternate to fossil fuels.

Everything from 3-watt solar module cars to cookies baked entirely by the heat of the sun will be at the event said Lynne Greulich, who helps organize the event.

Participants will also compete in the Energy Expert Game, modeled after the TV game show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire."

Model car races and solar cooker tests will be held at 10 a.m., followed by a model solar home demonstration at 10:30 a.m and the Energy Expert game at 11:30 a.m. The day will conclude with an awards ceremony.

Partnering with Lodi Electric to hold the Solar Olympics is the Rahus Institute, a nonprofit research organization whose focus is resource efficiency.

Contact reporter Sara Cardine at sarac@lodinews.com.

First published: Thursday, May 11, 2006