Arcadia High School · 2026–27
Engineering can't be learned
from a textbook
We design, build, program, and race a fully solar-powered boat—turning curiosity into real engineering.
About AE
A school year in the workshop.
We’re 38 students at Arcadia High School building a solar-powered boat. Some of us work on the hull. Others write code, wire electronics, tell our story, or paint the boat. It takes all five teams to get to race day.
Our classroom is the workshop. Our final exam is the water.
How our team works →Find your part
One boat.
Five teams.
Pick a team to see what goes into the build.
The Mechanical team
Mechanical
Hull design, CAD, fiberglass, resin, aluminum fabrication, steering, motor mounting, hydrodynamics, and structural testing.
Meet this teamThe Electrical team
Electrical
Solar wiring, batteries, motor controllers, power distribution, sensors, waterproofing, safety systems, and reliability testing.
Meet this teamThe Software team
Software
Raspberry Pis, driver displays, telemetry, navigation, object detection, mapping, data acquisition, and autonomous systems.
Meet this teamThe Outreach + PR team
Outreach + PR
Grants, sponsorships, fundraising, social media, photography, video, community partnerships, recruitment, and events.
Meet this teamThe Art + Design team
Art + Design
Boat graphics, painting, decals, presentations, branding, competition aesthetics, and our team’s visual identity.
Meet this teamCalifornia Solar Regatta
See the challenge, the boat, and our competition history.
Explore →02Community Impact
Engineering means more when it reaches beyond our workshop.
Our impact →03Monthly Recaps
Follow our progress from the first sketch to race day.
Read updates →