Almost 2000 students from across Victoria will converge on Scienceworks to race solar-powered cars and boats in the 2009 Victorian Model Solar Vehicle Challenge held on October 17 and 18.

With the chance to compete at the National Finals in November, teams from up to 60 schools from across the state have spent months preparing their models for the annual competition.

The event, which began in 1990, encourages young people to explore the potential of solar energy through the construction of working models and boasts some of the finest achievements in technology and science of Victorian school children.

There are a number of categories listed for the day including student designed cars, kit cars and boats. The solar car models will compete on a specially built 100m figure 8 track, the kit cars in a 'pursuit' around an oval track and the solar boats will race in a purpose built 10-metre pool.