The III Illes Balears Solar Regatta brings together 15 Student teams at Parc de la Mar

A total of fifteen teams made up of students from different high schools in Mallorca and Ibiza participated in the third edition of the Illes Balears Solar Regatta, held at Palma’s Parc de la Mar.

This educational event, jointly organized by the Makers Association of Mallorca, the Mallorca FabLab, and the Canamunt Neighborhood Association, introduced a new category for educational centers this year, thanks to the collaboration of the IBSTEAM team from the Balearic Ministry of Education and Universities.

The participating schools included IES Inca, IES Alcúdia, IES Binissalem, IES Can Peu Blanc, IES Puig de Sa Font, IES Joan Maria Thomàs, and IES Moll Vell from Mallorca, as well as IES Isidor Macabich, IES Sant Agustí, IES Sa Blanca Dona, IES Xarc, and IES Balàfia from Ibiza.

During the second term of the academic year, IBSTEAM provided specialized training to secondary, baccalaureate, and vocational teachers, aimed at encouraging sustainable, creative, and environmentally respectful STEAM projects, while also addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. This training culminated in the teams’ participation in the Regatta, where IBSTEAM played a key role by providing materials for boat construction and facilitating inter-island travel, supported by 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 radio-controlled boats. Participants were tested on speed, endurance, and maneuverability, depending on their category: Open, Kit, or Educational Centers. The new school category also introduced a research component, with a project divided into three phases: design and research; construction and programming; and final navigation test.

The winning team in the educational category was IES Alcúdia, recognized both for placing second in the navigation challenge and for the quality of their research project, which focused on marine microplastic pollution. They were awarded 300 € for the purchase of electronic components.

Other special recognitions included:

• MACABOTS from IES Isidor Macabich, which received a €200 innovation award,
• XARC ATTACK from IES Xarc, which won the €200 sustainability award, and
• IES Sant Agustí, which took first place in the race with the fastest boat in its category.

The event highlighted the talent, creativity, and commitment of young students from the Balearic Islands to sustainability and technology.