The science fair at our school was approaching, and I decided to join it with my best friend Lily. We had just finished the unit about renewable energy in class, so we thought making a solar-powered model would be a great project. At first, I thought we could just build a simple solar boat, but Lily suggested we create something more challenging – a solar-powered car that could move around the exhibition hall.

We spent three weekends preparing. On the first day, we went to the school lab to borrow tools. I brought a box of colored paper and Lily brought some old CD disks from home. Our teacher, Mr. Brown, told us we needed to use materials from our own classrooms to practice recycling. "Try to use things you see every day," he said while showing us some examples – like using plastic bottles for wheels or cardboard for the body.

The biggest problem came when we tried to attach the solar panel. At first, our car couldn't move because the panel wasn't facing the sun properly. One morning, I was sitting on the school steps watching birds fly when I realized – the sun moves across the sky! We decided to make a rotating platform for the panel. I used a CD disk as a base, drilled holes in the center, and attached it to four small sticks. When we tested it in the courtyard, the car moved smoothly for the first time.

However, there were still many challenges. The wheels kept slipping off the axles, and the motor made strange noises. One afternoon, Lily accidentally spilled glue on the control wires, and we had to spend hours cleaning it with cotton swabs and alcohol. "Patience is important in science," our tech teacher Mrs. Wilson told us when she saw our struggles. She even brought us her old multimeter to check the electrical connections.

On the day of the exhibition, our classroom became a workshop. We divided tasks: I focused on improving the mechanical structure while Lily worked on the electrical system. When the judges came to inspect our project, I demonstrated how the rotating panel could adjust its angle. "This design solves the problem of changing sunlight directions," I explained. Lily then showed them how we had fixed the wheel mechanism using paper clips as stabilizers.

The final test was the longest – we had to make the car complete a 10-meter dash. At first, it only moved 3 meters, but after adjusting the gear ratio, it finally reached the finish line in 25 seconds! The judges were so impressed that they awarded us the "Best Creative Design" prize. When we received the trophy made from recycled aluminum cans, I realized science isn't just about winning – it's about learning how to turn impossible ideas into reality.

This experience taught me three important lessons. First, recycling materials doesn't mean using cheap or broken things. We had to clean and modify every item we found. Second, working in a team requires good communication. I learned to listen to Lily's suggestions even when I thought I knew better. Third, science projects often need multiple attempts. That broken motor taught me that failure is just part of the process.

Now, every time I see solar panels on buildings or electric cars on the road, I remember our solar-powered car. We even made a video of our project and shared it with the school newsletter. Some classmates have started their own science clubs inspired by our work. I think the most valuable part wasn't winning the competition, but seeing how our little project could light up so many people's interests in science.

Looking back, I'm proud that we didn't give up even when things didn't work out. The solar car isn't perfect – its wheels still need better bearings – but we've already planned improvements for next year's science fair. Maybe one day, our simple model will inspire someone to create real solar vehicles that really change the world. For now, I'll keep using the skills we learned: observing carefully, asking questions, and never stopping to explore.