Send to video@solarcarchallenge.org in mp4 format.

Rule 3.10: Video Presentation - Teams shall prepare a video presentation describing their solar car project. The team will have up to 8 minutes to give a full statement about the team?s project. Teams will be graded based on whether the presentation gave a full statement about the team?s project and engineering decisions made, whether all team members participated, whether the presentation was well prepared and rehearsed, whether the team was able to speak without the use of notes, whether the team used visual aids, and whether the team?s digital scrapbook adequately showcases the team?s progress and development of the vehicle.

Teams will be awarded up to 25 miles based on the quality and completeness of their video presentation, oral presentation, digital scrapbook, and registration packet. Penalties received during the event cannot affect miles awarded. Points will be awarded after the team passes Scrutineering.

(1) Grading Criteria

1. Did the video presentation give a full statement about the team?s project?
2. Did the team explain their engineering decisions? For example: battery placement, array design etc.
3. Did the team show documentation supporting their engineering decisions?
4. Did all team members participate? [Every team member needs to speak]
5. Was the presentation well prepared and rehearsed?
6. Was the team able to speak without the use of notes?
7. Did the team use visual aids?
8. Was the video of the oral presentation sent in mp4 format to video@solarcarchallenge.org

(2) Video Guidelines

1. The video should be an uninterrupted record of the team?s oral presentation. It should be the same as if the team were being videoed in front of a "live" panel of judges.
2. Teams may use multi-media during their presentation if this media would have been used within their "live" oral presentation. Teams will receive a point reduction if they use professional editing or visual effects within their video.

TEAM ORAL PRESENTATION

The philosophy of the Solar Car Challenge is that students taking part in this STEM project should be able to talk about that project. We are able to see some of these skills through the regular Team Video submitted no later than July 1st. Even so, this does not give the personal exchange between students and judges.

We are therefore bringing back this personal Q&A between teams and judges in 2026. This will be a scheduled 5-minute exchange that will give the team an opportunity to share their project. Here are the guidelines:

(1) Teams will receive an assigned time to meet with Judges when they go through Team Check-In.
(2) Teams will have five minutes to share their project with the Judges. This will be followed by a brief Q&A based on student comments. (3) Teams will be expected to have multiple team members taking part in this presentation, not just a single spokesperson. (4) Teams can bring notes or copies of their registration materials, but there will be no time to set up media presentations. (5) Teams will be evaluated based on their ability to discuss their engineering decisions, and events that occurred during their project. [Fundraising, planning, design, testing, construction issues, project management, etc.] (6) Team will be required to make a "professional" presentation to complete the Scrutineering Process. "Professional" presentation means that the students demonstrated they knew what they were talking about!

The Goal of this In-Person Presentation is to develop a warm, friendly relationship between the students, judges, and staff... and to encourage the flow of dialogue between all participants.

TEAM CHECK-IN

Team Check-In provides an opportunity to complete the official registration process. A schedule for the 2026 Solar Car Challenge Team Check-In Schedule is attached.

Teams need to bring the following:
(1) SCC Release of Liability Form signed by parents
(2) TMS Release of Liability Forms (adult and minors)
(3) Signed Guidelines for Photographing/Filming
(4) Hard copy of all drivers? licenses
    [Wristbands awarded when driver completes Scrutineering Station 4]
(5) Purchase tickets for Opening & Awards Banquet - $70/person
(6) Pay Extra Person Fee (See Event Update No. 2026-1)
(7) Supply documents to complete Final Race Registration packet
(8) Bring radio you plan to use to coordinate channels

Teams will receive:
(1) 15 tee shirts
(2) 50 Official Race Booklets
(3) Traditional "baking soda" for environmental spills
(4) Rule Booklet and final "Where-to-Be What-to-Do" Document
(5) Official Scrutineering Packet
(6) Draw for 1st Day Starting Order, Garage Bay
(7) Receive Number Decal to be placed on solar car
(8) Receive Banquet Tickets purchased prior to June 1st.
(9) Receive required Race Credentials
(10) Receive three copies of the Official Race Route

TEAM SCRAPBOOK GUIDELINES - Due June 15th

(1) Teams will email a digital copy of their Scrapbook to scrapbook@solarcarchallenge.org no later than June 15th, 2026.

(2) The scrapbook must be submitted in a pdf format so that multiple judges can have easy access to the document. Google documents will not be accepted.

(3) The Scrapbook will be divided into two Sections:
  (a) Section One: showing students working on all phases of the solar car project, including the a planning, design, CAD, fundraising, building, and testing.
  (b) Section Two: showing students design and engineering decisions through both narrative and photographs. Engineering decision-making is the cornerstone of your solar car project. Judges will want to see documentation showing your engineering challenges and how you resolved them.

We understand your decisions are often limited by budget, resource availability, and time for construction. The Judges will want you to explain these decisions in your scrapbook as well as during your team?s oral presentation.

(4) The digital Scrapbook will become the property of the Solar Car Challenge Foundation, and will become part of your official team documentation.

Copyright (c) 1995-2026 Lehman Marks. All Rights Reserved. Solar Car Challenge, 3505 Cassidy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 Questions about the challenge? Contact Dr. Lehman Marks, Event Director