Copyright Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Pour Standards, Staten Island’s homebrew club, will host its annual Pour Mania 2025 event on Saturday, Oct. 25, to raise funds for a local nonprofit that teaches students to build solar-powered race cars. The fundraiser takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. at Flagship Brewery, located at 40 Minthorne St. in Tompkinsville. Tickets are $40 and include unlimited tastings of beer, cider, and mead from local brewers. Advance purchase is required through EventBrite.com. Proceeds will benefit Seagull Solar, a Staten Island nonprofit that gives underserved youth hands-on STEM experiences. This funding will help students design, build, and race a solar-powered car in the 2026 Solar Car Challenge in Texas. STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics — is intended to give young people the skills and confidence to innovate, solve problems, and connect with high-demand careers. When students see their ideas come to life — like building a solar car — it transforms how they view science and their own potential. Cider meets science “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, founding board member of Seagull Solar. Founded in 2014, Pour Standards — also known as the Richmond County Brew Society — is dedicated to craft beer, cider, and mead. The group brings together local enthusiasts who share a passion for brewing and community. The event will feature raffles, a 50/50 drawing, food for sale, and music by DJ Frank De Riso. Attendees can also view ‘Gemini,’ a retired MIT solar race vehicle from the 2024 American Solar Challenge. The vehicle will be displayed courtesy of Seagull Solar Ltd.” Seagull Solar operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds and races solar-powered cars for the Solar Car Challenge, a national competition where high school teams design and drive road-worthy solar vehicles. Its mission: “We believe clean, renewable energy is crucial for our future. Through solar car projects, we aim to inspire STEM careers and raise awareness about sustainability.” For more information about the charity, the website is statenislandsolarcar.com and email contact is seagullsolarsi@gmail.com.
