As part of the 2016 Centennial, the National Park Service has challenged itself to provide more research and education around the effects of climate change on national park resources. The National Park Service has also committed during its centennial to help young people make new connections to national parks, and this collaboration allows innovative students to connect their work with new technology to the national parks. Among other things, the Green Parks Program encourages walking, biking, ride-sharing, and use of fuel-efficient or alternative-fuel vehicles.
“We are glad to welcome this unique event to Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park,” said Dean Alexander, park superintendent. “The American Solar Challenge staff, volunteers, teams and visitors will get a chance to explore spectacular park resources, see cool cars that use innovative solar technology, and learn more about National Park Service efforts to reduce our impact on the environment.”
Every two years, the Innovators Educational Foundation organizes the American Solar Challenge, which is a collegiate student design competition to design, build and drive solar-powered vehicles in a cross-country time/distance rally event. “We’re looking forward to the American Solar Challenge 2016 being part of the National Park Service Centennial and bringing the solar cars to 9 national park locations across the Midwest. We hope visitors will take this opportunity to see the solar cars, meet the teams and find their park,” said event organizer Gail Lueck.
The American Solar Challenge will begin at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio on July 30 and end in Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota on Aug. 6. Midway stops include Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, Homestead National Monument of America and Scotts Bluff National Monument. More information is available on the American Solar Challenge website.
For additional information on Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, visit www.nps.gov/daav and participate in the conversation on Twitter by following the park at: @DaytonAviationNHP or on Facebook at: Dayton Aviation Heritage/Wilbear Wright & the Race to Dayton’s Amazing Aviation Places.
About the Author