WORCESTER, November 6, 2026 — Jason Chang, a 13-year-old seventh grader at Worcester Academy, has earned the National STEM Champion title for a motor-free solar tracker built from recycled parts for less than $25. The prototype produced roughly 20% higher voltage than a stationary panel during outdoor testing, according to ZME Science.
The Chore That Started It
The idea began with a cold-weather frustration. Chang’s mother asked him to keep repositioning the family’s solar-powered Christmas lights to catch the sun. “I got kind of frustrated,” he told CBS Boston. “What if I could fix this problem?” He spent more than a year experimenting in the garage, turning the annoyance into a prototype that now sits on a workbench in Worcester.
A Seesaw Driven By Water
The device uses a seesaw-like frame assembled from low-cost, recycled supplies. Pulling a stopper releases water from an upper reservoir into a hanging bucket. As the bucket fills, its increasing weight gradually tilts the panel to follow the sun across the sky. Unlike motorized trackers that can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to an installation and consume some of the electricity the panels generate, Chang’s mechanism needs no external power and avoids gears and electronics entirely, ZME Science reported.
The Precision Problem
Getting the fluid to move at the right speed proved the hardest hurdle. “The hardest part was the fluid control frame,” Chang told CBS Boston. “It has to be very precise. … The measurements have to be exact for the panel to move correctly.” He iterated through dozens of nozzle sizes and bucket weights before the tracker kept pace with the sun’s arc without overshooting.
Next Steps: An All-Weather Version
The current prototype freezes in New England winters, stopping the mechanism. Chang is now developing an all-weather version before he presents the project at the National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C.
Beyond The Backyard
The inexpensive design could benefit off-grid communities where individual panels power phone charging, LED lighting, and medical refrigeration. Disaster-relief teams could also use equipment made with everyday components that can be repaired in the field. “I hope my project can help people around the world to provide more electricity,” Chang said, per CBS Boston. “Since it’s very low cost … I believe that it can be made anywhere around the world.”
Sources
- Massachusetts 13-year-old wins STEM title with motor-free solar tracker built for under $25
- Massachusetts 13-year-old wins STEM title with motor-free solar tracker built for under $25
Photo: NASA / KSC (Public domain (NASA))
