Staten Island’s Pour Mania 2025 to Fund Youth Solar Car Project

Staten Island’s homebrew club, Pour Standards, is gearing up for its annual Pour Mania 2025 event on October 25, 2025, from 1 to 5 p.m. This fundraising initiative aims to support Seagull Solar, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching students how to build solar-powered race cars. The event will be held at Flagship Brewery, located at 40 Minthorne St. in Tompkinsville.

Tickets for the event are priced at $40, which grants attendees unlimited tastings of a variety of beers, ciders, and meads from local brewers. Advance purchase is required through EventBrite.com. Proceeds from the event will provide essential funding for Seagull Solar, which offers underserved youth hands-on experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Empowering Future Innovators

The funds raised will be directed towards helping students design, build, and ultimately race a solar-powered vehicle in the upcoming 2026 Solar Car Challenge in Texas. This initiative aims to equip young people with the skills and confidence needed to innovate, tackle problems, and connect with careers that are in high demand.

“When students realize they can design and build something that actually moves under its own power — and do it using clean energy — it changes how they see science and how they see themselves,” said T.J. Smolka, a founding board member of Seagull Solar.

Since its inception in 2014, Pour Standards, also known as the Richmond County Brew Society, has been devoted to the craft of brewing, uniting local enthusiasts who share a passion for beer, cider, and mead. This year’s event promises a vibrant atmosphere with raffles, a 50/50 drawing, food for sale, and music provided by DJ Frank De Riso.

Showcasing Innovation and Sustainability

Attendees will also have the unique opportunity to view ‘Gemini,’ a retired solar race vehicle from MIT that participated in the 2024 American Solar Challenge. This display is made possible by Seagull Solar Ltd., which operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on promoting renewable energy through educational projects. The organization’s mission emphasizes the importance of clean energy for the future, aiming to inspire careers in STEM and raise awareness about sustainability.

For more information about the event or the nonprofit’s initiatives, interested parties can visit the website at statenislandsolarcar.com or reach out via email at [email protected].