A total of 15 student teams from secondary schools in Mallorca and Ibiza took part in the third edition of the Illes Balears Solar Regatta, held last Saturday, May 10, at Parc de la Mar in Palma.
This educational event was jointly organised by the Makers Association of Mallorca, FabLab Mallorca, and the Canamunt Neighbourhood Association, and this year introduced a new category for educational centres, thanks to the collaboration of the IBSTEAM team from the Ministry of Education and Universities.
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Strong Student Participation in the III Illes Balears Solar Regatta with 15 Teams from Mallorca and Ibiza
The participating schools included:
From Mallorca – IES Inca, IES Alcúdia, IES Binissalem, IES Can Peu Blanc, IES Puig de Sa Font, IES Joan Maria Thomàs, and IES Moll Vell.
From Ibiza – IES Isidor Macabich, IES Sant Agustí, IES Sa Blanca Dona, IES Xarc, and IES Balàfia.
Throughout the second term of the academic year, IBSTEAM provided specific training to teachers from secondary education, high school, and vocational programs to promote sustainable, creative STEAM projects that are respectful of the environment and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) of the 2030 Agenda. This training culminated in participation in the Regatta, where IBSTEAM played a key role by providing materials for building the boats and facilitating inter-island travel, thanks to support from the European Recovery and Resilience Funds.
The Illes Balears Solar Regatta is a competition that promotes technological innovation and sustainability through the construction of solar-powered remote-controlled boats. Participants faced challenges in speed, endurance, and manoeuvrability, depending on their category: Open, Kit, or Educational Centres. The new school category also introduced a research component, structured in three phases: design and research; construction and programming; and final navigation test.
The winning team in the educational centres category was from IES Alcúdia, recognised both for their performance in the navigation test (second place in the race) and for the quality of their research project, focused on marine microplastic pollution. Their work earned a €300 prize for the purchase of electronic components.
Other special recognitions included:
- MACABOTS from IES Isidor Macabich, awarded a €200 innovation prize
- XARC ATTACK from IES Xarc, receiving a €200 sustainability prize
- IES Sant Agustí, winner of the race with the fastest boat in their category
The event showcased the talent, creativity, and commitment of young students from the Balearic Islands to sustainability and technology.