Author: Sherri Shields

Fun, Hands-on Energy Activities Students Can Do Remotely. Register NOW for Virtual EnergyWhiz 2021!

Sherri Shields Energy News, Feature Story, K-12 Education, Press Release 0 Comment

EnergyWhiz is a renewable energy-focused event for students to demonstrate their science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) capabilities through project-based learning activities. Students in Grades K through college, adults and families can participate in the virtual event with an opportunity to win awards. The virtual event will be on display to the public May 3–7, 2021. Teams must register by April 9th to participate.

Artistic renewable energy project using mosaic tiles to show scene of cat swatting at rotating butterfly. Live flower planter in front.
Artistic Energy Innovations project using mosaic tiles
Junior Solar Sprint model solar car
Model-size, Junior Solar Sprint car

This year’s competition categories are:

  • Energy Transfer Machine, (Grades 3-12) 
    Students transform materials into Rube Goldberg-type machines that perform an energy-related task and then submit a video of their success.
  • Energy Innovations, (K-12, College, Adults & Families)
    Partis design, engineer and market renewable energy projects that have real-world applicability. This year’s virtual event is expanded to include a wide range of categories, including:
    • Agriculture
    • Clean transportation
    • Green and energy-efficient buildings
    • Solar cooking
    • Water
    • Artwork or demonstration projects highlighting use of renewable energy
  • Junior Solar Sprint, (Grades 4-9)
    Students create a model-sized, solar-powered car that is judged on technology, craftsmanship, innovation and performance.
  • NEW T-Shirt Design Contest

FSEC Energy Research Center—a research institute of the University of Central Florida—in partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Energy, modified this traditionally in-person event to be virtual this year.

“Last year we had to cancel EnergyWhiz for the first time since 1999, so this year we’re trying a new format and modifying the rules,” said Susan Schleith, Energy Education program director at FSEC Energy Research Center. “Virtual EnergyWhiz will provide an opportunity for students and adults throughout Florida and beyond to participate in hands-on activities within a virtual environment.”

Sponsors

EnergyWhiz is sponsored by Florida Power & Light Company, SkyeTec, and LifeStyle Homes, and Kissimmee Utility Authority.

FPL, SkyeTec, LifeStyle Homes, Kissimmee Utility Authority logos

Companies or individuals interested in sponsoring EnergyWhiz should visit https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/education/k-12/energywhiz/sponsors/ or contact Elizabeth Myron at elizabeth.myron@fsec.ucf.edu.

EnergyWhiz logo with sun on right and laptop on leftMore Information

Learn more about EnergyWhiz at: https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/education/k-12/energywhiz/.

For registration questions, contact Penny Hall at penny@fsec.ucf.edu or Susan Schleith at susan@fsec.ucf.edu.

For more information or media questions, contact Sherri Shields at sherri@fsec.ucf.edu.

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PR21-05

Virtual EnergyWhiz: May 3–7, 2021. Register by April 9th.

Sherri Shields Energy News, Feature Story, K-12 Education 0 Comment

EnergyWhiz Laptop LogoEnergyWhiz is a renewable energy-focused event for students to demonstrate their science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) capabilities through project-based learning activities.

This year’s competition categories are: Junior Solar Sprint (model solar cars), Energy Transfer Machine (Rube Goldberg-type contraptions), and Energy Innovations, which has been expanded to include solar cooking, energy-efficient buildings (pet houses), and renewable energy-focused artwork or demonstration projects. Energy Innovations is also now open to adults to participate.

FSEC Energy Research Center—a research institute of the University of Central Florida—in partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Energy, modified this traditionally in-person event to be virtual this year.

Last year we had to cancel EnergyWhiz for the first time since 1999, so this year we’re trying a new format and modifying the rules,” said Susan Schleith, Energy Education program director at FSEC Energy Research Center. “Virtual EnergyWhiz will provide an opportunity for students throughout Florida and beyond to participate in hands-on activities within a virtual environment.”

Sponsors include Florida Power & Light. Anyone interested in sponsoring EnergyWhiz should visit https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/education/k-12/energywhiz/sponsors/.

Learn more, register and pay $10 per team by April 9th at at: https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/education/k-12/energywhiz/.

WEBINAR: How to Build a SOLAR Car for EnergyWhiz 2021

Sherri Shields Energy News, Feature Story, K-12 Education 0 Comment

Junior Solar Sprint logoStudents and teachers are invited to attend a webinar on Wednesday, March 3rd at 3:30 p.m. to demonstrate how students can build a Junior Solar Sprint model car and participate in Virtual EnergyWhiz 2021.

FSEC Energy Research Center—a research institute of the University of Central Florida, and in partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Energy—modified this traditionally in-person event to be virtual this year.

EnergyWhiz—a renewable energy-focused event for students to demonstrate their science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) capabilities through project-based learning activities—will be held virtually on May 3 – 7, 2021.

Junior Solar Sprint model solar car
2019 award-winning Junior Solar Sprint car

This year’s competitions are:

Webinar Registration

Contact Penny Hall, penny@fsec.ucf.edu, to receive webinar connection details.

Learn more about Virtual EnergyWhiz 2021 at: https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/education/k-12/energywhiz/.

WEBINARS: New Energy Code Changes. Register by March 15th!

Sherri Shields Buildings Research, Continuing Education, Energy News 0 Comment

Florida Building Code Energy Conservation Seventh Edition (2020)A new Florida Building Code went into effect on December 31, 2020. Learn about the 7th Edition (2020) Florida Building Code Energy Conservation changes and earn continuing education credits by attending short, live webinar training courses. Register by Monday, March 15th for the March 24th class.

  • The 4-hour commercial course topics include an examination of building energy use contributors, introduction to the 7th Edition (2020) Florida Energy Conservation Code commercial provision changes, review of Commercial Energy Code compliance methods and tools, running sample calculations to assess the effects of specific improvements on energy efficiency and Code compliance, and verifying Code forms and identifying common errors. CILB CEUs: 4 credits; CILB# 0613600; Provider# 0000859
  • The 2-hour residential course topics include an overview of residential 7th Edition (2020) Florida Energy Conservation Code Prescriptive, Performance and Energy Rating Index (ERI) compliance options, and discussions of residential building air leakage testing, duct leakage testing and mechanical ventilation requirements. CILB CEUs: 2 credits; CILB# 0613599; Provider# 0000859

A summary document citing specific code language can be found at FloridaBuilding.org/bc/, under Code Resources or at http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/go/2020-code-changes.

Explore all of the FSEC Energy Research Center’s continuing education courses at https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/education/continuing-education/

For more information, contact Sherri Shields at sherri@fsec.ucf.edu.

WEBINARS: New Energy Code Changes. Register by Feb. 8th!

Sherri Shields Buildings Research, Continuing Education, Energy News 0 Comment

Florida Building Code Energy Conservation Seventh Edition (2020)A new Florida Building Code went into effect on December 31, 2020. Learn about the 7th Edition (2020) Florida Building Code Energy Conservation changes and earn continuing education credits by attending short, live webinar training courses. Register by Monday, February 8th.

  • The 4-hour commercial course topics include an examination of building energy use contributors, introduction to the 7th Edition (2020) Florida Energy Conservation Code commercial provision changes, review of Commercial Energy Code compliance methods and tools, running sample calculations to assess the effects of specific improvements on energy efficiency and Code compliance, and verifying Code forms and identifying common errors. CILB CEUs: 4 credits; CILB# 0613600; Provider# 0000859
  • The 2-hour residential course topics include an overview of residential 7th Edition (2020) Florida Energy Conservation Code Prescriptive, Performance and Energy Rating Index (ERI) compliance options, and discussions of residential building air leakage testing, duct leakage testing and mechanical ventilation requirements. CILB CEUs: 2 credits; CILB# 0613599; Provider# 0000859

A summary of the energy code changes citing specific code language can be found at FloridaBuilding.org/bc/, under Code Resources or at http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/go/2020-code-changes.

For more information, contact Sherri Shields at sherri@fsec.ucf.edu.