Speeding solar-powered boats will churn the waters of Dickson Pool on Saturday morning, in Australia's first Model Solar Boat Challenge.

Sponsored by ACTEW and CSIRO's Double Helix Science Club, the Challenge will be won by the fastest solar-powered boat over fifty metres, with prizes for creativity and innovation in design.

The Challenge will be launched at 11.30 am by ACTEW's Chief Engineer Alan Galbraith and CSIRO's Ross Kingsland.

"ACTEW sees the Challenge as an excellent opportunity to support young Canberrans and their use of technology. The challenge reflects ACTEW's commitment to the development of renewable energy sources, and to ecologically sustanainable development principles," said Mr Galbraith.

"The Solar Boat Challenge brings together design skills, scientific and technological ingenuity, and the compelling need for sustainable power generation," said Mr Kingsland. "Scientific resourcefulness is vital for Australia's future, and I commend ACTEW and the Double Helix Club".

Double Helix Coordinator Rebecca Scott said that more than sixty entrants had been received, in four classes (Primary, Secondary, College, and Open).

"There's an amazing variety in the designs," says Ms Scott. "Some of the college entries, in particular, are serious high-tech projects, using specially designed fibreglass hulls and sophisticated electronics. These boats can be expected to produce startling results.

"Other students have taken the line of low-tech resourcefulness, using bits and pieces from around the home like sticky tape, velcro, PET bottles and foam. There have been excellent entries from very young children."

All entrants must use an identical set of twelve small solar panels. Choice of the array, and motor and propeller, are left to the designer.

Ms Scott says the Solar Boat Challenge is to become an annual event.

More information from: Rebecca Scott, CSIRO, 02-6276 6639
Michelle Heins, ACTEW 02-6248 3126