Lake Region Union High School

Science - Waring

Helios the Heron

A brief series of pictures covering the history of Helios the Heron, a middle school project Helios the Heron went throught six different years, Helios 1 - Helios 6. As a working vehicle it and the Riveside school team ran in five American Tour de Sol races. The vehicle is the only working registered, insured road legal electric vehicle in the USA built by middle school students. The team and vehicle were featured in the April 2000 issue of The National Geographic World Magazine. The first three years of the project were ground up projects, the last three years were created using a 1972 VW van as the basis, completely converting it to electric/solar energy. The middle school students had to be able to explain everything about the vehicle to go on the Tour de Sol, they were often more knowledgeable than many college team members, as they had built the vehicle themselvs during their industrial Arts classes all year long. Helios's race number was 93 as that was the year we started the project, the first year on the Tour Helios 1 did not run so it was pushed across the finish line, much to great excitment amoung school mates and family friends. Helios 5 and 6 drove both tours with no breakdowns at all. During the school year the vehicle was used for simple transportation jobs, kids to the local library, swimming pool, hardware store, etc. In the fall of the school year 2000 the student team was invited to Scotland to present their vehicle to an international conference. the conference was called the Second annual International Peace through Tourisum. They were given a special award and invited to Toronto, Canada this July. They rewrote the Tour documents for the conference that was greeted with much aclaim.

Helios the Heron 1, a ground-up vehicle, with a very weak front end. Displayed only

Dana Patoune, talking to James Wqrden founder of Selectria about Helios 1

Helios 2 in Portland Maine on display, driver Karen Budda,First Helios to run in the Tour de Sol

Helios 4 in North Conway, having just climbed the Cangamangus Pass in the White Mountains.

Helios 4, battery box with its cover open

Helios 5 at the starting gate in New York City, South street Seaport

close up of Helios 5 with a wonderful "door sign" and Karen driving

Helios 5 in Washington DC talking to the secertary of Energy, Ashley Rosland, student

Helios 6 almost ready to go on the 1999 Tour de Sol

side view Helios 6 showing panels, decals, number 93 is the year the project started and the race number

Front view Helios 6, bumper left to put on for towing hitch

Helios 6 left rear corner view, both back doors are not latched yet

Helios 6 crossing the finish line in Portland Maine, Topher Waring driving

Helios 6 with all the students who went on the 99 Tour de Sol, wearing their team jackets which were donated, the work, arranging for the donation was a student only project. The 1999 tour de Sol went from Waterbury Conn. to Portland Me. Helios ran the whole race with out a single breakdown, a school first!!!