Students in Year 10 were given the opportunity to complete the new ISTEM elective, where they created their own unique vehicles which could harness power from the sun.

The Information, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subject has taught students how to build robots, solar cars and code computer programs.

Griffith is known as a hub area under the SISP program.

Their focus being agriculture and technology, as they teach students the cutting edge of technology to help them succeed in the working world.

"The whole idea of the program is to show students that what we do in the classroom can have real world applications," explained teacher Ian Preston.

With a number of positions available in the solar field throughout Riverina, students are taking a real hands-on approach to their learning.

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As part of the 'Grow Our Own' program, two Murrumbidgee students went on to complete work experience in the solar industry.

A clear indicator of what the future holds for renewable energy and how the youth of today might contribute to a brighter, smarter society.

"Our kids are 3D printing mounts for solar panels and using laser cutters to design efficient, aerodynamic vehicles.

"They adjust gear ratios, calculate velocity, and measure speed and torque to establish the power-to-weight ratio of their cars," said Mr Preston.

The kits used to build the cars were supplied by international robotics guru Pitsco.

Students then collaborated in groups of four, with the intention of competing against other groups in their class to win a take-home solar car kit from Pitsco.

The cars not only had to be fast, but also durable.

On race day, five heats were held to test the limits of these student-made solar machines.

It was a 20-metre track, on which one of the cars reached a top speed of 15.8 kilometres-per-hour, completing the course in 4.6 seconds.

The students also performed a five minute presentation to their class on what they had built and why they chose their particular design.

Now, smaller schools around Griffith can look forward to experiencing the scientific expertise provided by ISTEM in 2020.

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