Rochester USEED Fundraising Campaign
Help UR Solar Splash Win
University of Rochester Solar Splash is a group of students who are committed to designing, building, and racing a solar-powered electric boat. Our group emphasizes learning and practicing engineering skills through hands-on construction and real-world application of theory learned in the classroom. We are raising money to further our ability to purchase the required tools and materials needed to construct an efficient and winning boat for this year’s 22nd Annual Solar Splash competition. Please help us advance the reality of solar powered vehicles by spreading the word of our campaign and if you can by donating.
What We Do
Solar Splash is an international, intercollegiate competition with some of the world’s leading universities competing. The competition consists of three races: sprint, endurance, and slalom. Each of these races tests different characteristics of the boat, such as acceleration, durability, and maneuverability. Participating in the competition gives us:
- the drive to put forth our best effort in engineering a premier boat
- real-time problem-solving and engineering experience
- the opportunity to interact with students pursuing similar interests at other top engineering schools
How Your Support Will Help Us
In pursuing our goal to create the optimal boat, we need these funds to purchase top-notch equipment. Our largest purchases will be:
- New, more efficient solar panels, to improve the boat’s endurance race performance
- Reinforcers, such as epoxies and fiberglass, among other materials, to strengthen the hull and maximize the durability of the boat
- Safety equipment such as respirators and protective suits to ensure the safety of our club members while constructing and using the boat.
In addition, we also want to use these funds to give us more flexibility and freedom to purchase needed items as construction demands for the boat progress and change. These funds will help tremendously in our effort to build a competition-winning boat this year. Without this funding, Solar Splash at the University of Rochester cannot provide students with this amazing opportunity for valuable engineering experience, and furthering the field of solar energy technology.
Who We Are
Rochester Solar Splash is a small group of dedicated students from a variety of backgrounds and majors. This group does not use the boat as a way of fulfilling any class requirements or capstone projects; it is done completely on student time and of their own initiative. In fact, there are no seniors in this club at all, only underclassman. While some may see this as a disadvantage, considering there are no senior members to provide mentorship, it also means that the younger members experience no intimidation against experimenting with their own designs.
