Solar Car Challenge Foundation shows how NBCU Local Impact Grant made a difference

The Solar Car Challenge Foundation, a local nonprofit, has been instrumental in advancing high school STEM education since its inception in 1989. Founded by Dr. Lehman Marks, a teacher at The Winston School in Dallas, the organization began with a simple idea: to challenge students to build and race solar-powered cars.

Over the years, the foundation has grown significantly, expanding its reach beyond one school to become a nationwide initiative. Last year, it received support from the NBCUniversal Local Impact Grant, allowing it to host a large-scale workshop in January and engage more teams, including new ones from Saginaw, Texas, and Saginaw, Michigan.

Currently, there are 261 Solar Car Challenge teams across the United States and internationally, with 24 teams based in North Texas alone.

For students like Brody Morrison, Mechanical Lead of The Winston School Solar Car Challenge Team, participating in the challenge is an exhilarating experience. As he prepares for his first summer with the team, Morrison reflects on the excitement and anticipation of the upcoming competition.

The Solar Car Challenge alternates between racing events at the Texas Motor Speedway during even years and cross-country journeys to California during odd years. For Triton Shoup, a senior at SMU and Chief Mechanical Judge for the Solar Car Challenge, the experience of driving a solar car at Texas Motor Speedway is surreal and unforgettable.

With the deadline to apply for the NBCUniversal Local Impact Grant approaching, local nonprofits with budgets under $1 million have the opportunity to receive support for their initiatives.