Awards – Page 4 – The Energy Chronicle

Virtual EnergyWhiz Award Winners

Sherri Shields Awards, Feature Story, K-12 Education May 10, 2021May 10, 2021 0 Comment

If you missed the live EnergyWhiz Awards announcement, you can see the recording at: https://vimeo.com/546603874 or download the list of winners.

You still have the opportunity to view all of the student Projects or see the wide range of energy topics in the Exhibit Hall at: https://events.energywhiz.com/.

Check out the Special Topics section where you’ll Explore the Lagoon, Navigate the Food, Energy and Water Nexus, learn how to start an Electrathon program, or see A Hurricane Able House: Solar + Storage + Resiliency, just to name a few.

UCF Leads National Team to Study Floating Solar

Sherri Shields Awards, Energy News, Press Release November 4, 2019April 20, 2020 1 Comment

Photo courtesy of Orlando Utilities Commission.

The University of Central Florida will lead a nationwide team to study the performance and long-term scalability of floating solar panels thanks to a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.

UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center was selected to study the performance of floating photovoltaics (FPV) solar technology and how it interacts with water quality and biodiversity in Florida, California and Colorado.

The unlikely combination of electricity and water is the foundation of an emerging energy market in the United States. FPV is electricity-generating solar panels, affixed atop buoyant platforms that float on water.

Limited land availability, reduced site-preparation costs, and the opportunity to utilize man-made bodies of water, such as reservoirs, retention ponds and wastewater storage ponds, are among the reasons for FPV popularity. According to an October 2018 World Bank report, floating solar grew 100 percent from 2014 to 2018, although primarily outside of the U.S.

It is speculated that floating solar results in cooler cell temperatures, and subsequently should be more efficient than land-based systems. FPV may also reduce evaporation rates and algae. Research documenting the performance, durability and environmental impacts of floating solar is limited, but that’s about to change. The research project is expected to begin early next year.

“We’ll be taking an in-depth look at the floating photovoltaic systems over the next three years,” says John Sherwin, principal investigator of the project and program director at FSEC. “This project is the first of its kind in the U.S. and we are excited to be part of a world-class research team that will collect critical data on this emerging technology.”

Partners include: University of California Davis, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Orlando Utilities Commission, City of Orlando and Ciel & Terre.

The project will monitor the performance, durability, water-quality impacts and biodiversity interactions of four existing floating solar sites across diverse climatic regions: humid subtropical in Florida; subarctic/boreal climate in Colorado; and two warm summer/Mediterranean-type climate sites, in California. Land-based systems in those same regions will also be monitored for comparison.

UC Davis will lead the environmental analysis part of the project.

“We’re particularly interested in how floating photovoltaics affect water quality and interactions with wildlife, including birds, bats, turtles and other aquatic life,” says Rebecca R. Hernandez, an assistant professor at UC Davis and co-director of the Wild Energy Initiative. “A better understanding of those impacts can help us make better decisions about siting renewable energy infrastructure and can reduce future costs.”

The Orlando Utilities Commission was an early adopter of floating solar and installed a 31.5-kilowatt system in February 2017. The floating solar array, located on a pond at the Gardenia Operations Facility (near John Young Parkway and I-4) and tied to the electric grid, will be part of the study.

“We continue to work closely with our partners to enhance solar deployment in Central Florida, and to determine how best to implement the latest technologies,” says Justin Kramer, supervisor of Emerging Technologies at OUC. “With so many ponds and lakes already devoid of trees, there is potential to greatly increase our solar output.”

Floating photovoltaic systems covering 27 percent of the identified suitable water bodies could produce almost 10 percent of current national generation, according to National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers.

Space Coast Community Celebrates Its 21st Year Recognizing Exemplary Science Teachers

Sherri Shields Awards August 23, 2019April 20, 2020 1 Comment

Cocoa, Fla., August 19, 2019—Six outstanding science teachers received the distinguished Exemplary Science Teacher Award from the Space Coast Science Education Alliance (SCSEA) on August 15 at the University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). The award is given in recognition of Brevard County teachers who go above and beyond to inspire their students to love learning science.

“When SCSEA started this program 21 years ago, it was to encourage exemplary science teachers to keep up their great work, and for the community to say thank you for the sacrifices that teachers and their families make. That goal remains the same,” said Susan Schleith, SCSEA Treasurer and FSEC educator. “Our outstanding science teachers are the key reason Brevard is among the top Florida school districts in science education.”

2019 EnergyWhiz Awards

Sherri Shields Awards May 21, 2019August 23, 2019 0 Comment

EnergyWhiz

The 2019 EnergyWhiz was held on May 4, 2019 at the FSEC Energy Research Center (aka Florida Solar Energy Center) in Cocoa, FL. Below are the results from all of the competitions.

Critter Comfort Cottage

Elementary Division

1^st Place – Cateepee (Cat) – Hidden Oaks Middle, Palm City

2^nd Place – Night Time Party Animals (Sunfire Djungarian Hamster) – Piedmont Lakes Middle, Apopka

3^rd Place – Marvelous Macaws (Macaw) – Global Prospective School, West Palm Beach

Middle School Division

1^st Place – Ecclectical Engineers (Key Largo Woodrat) – Innovation Middle, Orlando

2^nd Place – Solar Duo (Long Tailed Chinchilla) – Innovation Middle, Orlando

3^rd Place – The Happy Hedwigs (Owl) – Lake Nona Middle, Orlando

WOW! Award Elementary Division

Night Time Party Animals (Sunfire Djungarian Hamster) – Piedmont Lakes Middle, Apopka

WOW! Award Middle Division

The Happy Hedwigs (Owl) – Lake Nona Middle, Orlando

WOW! Award High School Division

Launch Institute (Rabbit) – Space Coast Jr/Sr High, Cocoa

Energy Innovations

Middle School Division

1^st Place – Lil Mil (Solar Hydroponics) – Milwee Middle, Longwood

High School Division

1^st Place – MAGS (Modular Automated Garden System) – Lyman High, Longwood

WOW! Award Middle School Division

Lil Mil (Solar Hydroponics) – Milwee Middle, Longwood

Energy Transfer Machine

Elementary Division

1^st Place – Quadruple Trouble – Heathrow Elementary, Lake Mary

2^nd Place – The Solar Knights – Lake Nona Middle, Orlando

3^rd Place – Sproating Duo – Rock Springs Elementary, Apopka

Middle School Division

1^st Place – The Energy Engineers – The Benjamin School & The Conservatory School, North Palm Beach

2^nd Place – Energy Kids – Milwee Middle, Longwood

3^rd Place – RCSAM Double Trouble – River City Science Academy at Mandarin, Jacksonville

Precision Award – Quadruple Trouble – Heathrow Elementary, Lake Mary

Junior Solar Sprint

Best Design – Green Division (Grades 4 – 6)

1^st Place – E.R. Solar Storm – NSU University School, Davie

2^nd Place – Checkers or Wreckers – Pinewood Elementary, Stuart

3^rd Place – Solar Sculz – McLane Middle, Brandon

Best Design – Blue Division (Grades 7 & 8)

1^st Place – Solar Lightning – Milwee Middle, Longwood

2^nd Place – Milwee RAC – Milwee Middle, Longwood

3^rd Place – Solar Broncos – Southwest Middle, Palm Bay

Most Innovative Green Division

1^st Place – Checkers or Wreckers – Pinewood Elementary, Stuart

2^nd Place – Speed is Key – Pinewood Elementary, Stuart

3^rd Place – Beetle Bullets – Pinewood Elementary, Stuart

Most Innovative Blue Division

1^st Place – Milwee RAC – Milwee Middle, Longwood

2^nd Place – Solar McQueen – Milwee Middle, Longwood

3^rd Place – Solar Broncos – Southwest Middle, Palm Bay

Race – Green Division

1^st Place – Engilogical – Walker Middle, Orlando

2^nd Place – Vibot 1 – McLane Middle, Brandon

3^rd Place – Rocket League – South Sumter Middle

Race – Blue Division

1^st Place – The Red Speedsters – Martinez Middle, Lutz [video]

2^nd Place – Shelby Racing – McLane Middle, Brandon

3^rd Place – Solar Sculz – McLane Middle, Brandon

AEOP Award

Engilogical – Walker Middle, Orlando

Solar Energy Cook-Off

Best Design – Yellow Division (Grades 4 – 6)

1^st Place – Totally Tubular – Martinez Middle, Lutz

2^nd Place – Blaze – Martinez Middle, Lutz

3^rd Place – ‘Soul’ar Cookers – East Elementary, Punta Gorda

Best Design – Orange Division (Grades 7 – 8)

1^st Place – Ramsey’s Son & Friends – Milwee Middle, Longwood

2^nd Place – Bears 2 – Ben Hill Middle, Tampa

3^rd Place – Chef Sol – Grandview Preparatory School, Boca Raton

Best Design – Red Division (Grades 9 – 12)

2^nd Place – The Hot Pockets – Lyman High, Longwood

WOW! Award Yellow Division

Totally Tubular – Martinez Middle, Lutz

WOW! Award Orange Division

Chef Sol – Grandview Preparatory School, Boca Raton

Culinary Award – Yellow Division

1^st Place – The Solar Six – Meadow Park Elementary, West Palm Beach

2^nd Place – ‘Soul’ar Cookers – East Elementary, Punta Gorda

3^rd Place – Solar Flare – Meadow Park Elementary, West Palm Beach

Culinary Award – Orange Division

1^st Place – Chef Sol – Grandview Preparatory School, Boca Raton

2^nd Place – Solar Sensation – Hidden Oaks Elementary, Palm City

3^rd Place (Tie) – Girls on Fire – River City Science Academy at Mandarin, Jacksonville

3^rd Place (Tie) – Ramsey’s Son & Friends – Milwee Middle, Longwood

Culinary Award – Red Division

1^st Place – The Hot Pockets – Lyman High, Longwood

Fresh From Florida Award Yellow Division

‘Soul’ar Cookers – East Elementary, Punta Gorda

Fresh From Florida Award Orange Division

Ramsey’s Son & Friends – Milwee Middle, Longwood

Photographs

Photo galleries of the events can be seen here: https://fsec.zenfolio.com/ew2019

Space Coast Education Community Celebrates Its 20th Year Recognizing Exemplary Science Teachers

Sherri Shields Awards, Press Release August 17, 2018August 17, 2018 6 Comments

COCOA, Fla., August 17, 2018 — The University of Central Florida congratulates seven outstanding science teachers who received the distinguished Exemplary Science Teacher Award from the Space Coast Science Education Alliance (SCSEA) on August 7 at UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). The award is given in recognition of Brevard County teachers who continually go above and beyond the norm to educate their students in science.

The 2018 SCSEA Exemplary Science Teacher award winners are Michelle M. Berry, Endeavour Elementary; Roger Cohen, Gemini Elementary; Jennifer Cotton, Titusville High; Jeffrey Higginbotham, Rockledge High; Angela Lambert, Harbor City Elementary; Aaron Mitchell, Bayside High; and, Tammie Rutkowski, Riviera Elementary. Roger Cohen and Tammie Rutkowski were also inducted into the Exemplary Science Teacher Hall of Fame, as this was their second award.

Photo of 2018 Exemplary Science Teachers and Brevard County administrators — Pictured from left to right (teachers are holding their awards) are: Loren Kingsley, District Secondary Science Resource Teacher; Aaron Mitchell (Bayside High); Jeffrey Higginbotham (Rockledge High); Jennifer Cotton (Titusville High); Tammie Rutkowski (Riviera Elementary); Angela Lambert (Harbor City Elementary); Dr. Mark Mullins, BCPS Superintendent; Michelle Berry (Endeavour Elementary); Michelle Ferro, Elementary Science Content Specialist, and Roger Cohen (Gemini Elementary).

New BCPS Superintendent Dr. Mark Mullins presented the unusual “awards” that drew much excitement from the recipients. Each teacher received a Triceratops fossil that had been carefully mounted as a display piece by the Academy of Natural History Preparation, a nonprofit science education organization located in Rockledge. In addition to the elegant banquet provided by Renaissance Catering, each teacher received an honorarium and a one-year membership to a science education organization, such as the Florida Association of Science Teachers.

The inaugural SCSEA Exemplary Science Teacher awards banquet was held in 1999 at FSEC. “When we started this program 20 years ago, it was to encourage exemplary science teachers to keep up the great work and for the Space Coast community to say thank you for the sacrifices that teachers and their families make. That goal remains the same,” said Susan Schleith, SCSEA Treasurer and FSEC K-12 Education Program Director. The great science teachers that we have in Brevard are a key reason Brevard is among the top Florida school districts in science.

“The importance our businesses, industry and other organizations place on science makes Brevard County a very special place to live and work”, said Ginger Davis, retired BPCS Science Coordinator and SCSEA Vice President. That was evidenced by the numerous sponsors from across the Space Coast that made the awards program and banquet possible. Gold sponsors were Brevard Zoo, Canaveral Council of Technical Societies, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida Solar Energy Center, Lockheed Martin, STEMScopes Florida and the Viera Company. Silver sponsors were Academy of Natural History Preparation, Discovery Education, Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and McGraw-Hill.

A new award, the Informal Science Educator Award of Excellence in tribute of Elizabeth Melvin was also announced at the dinner by Jennifer Thompson. Brevard County is known for strong science education outside of the formal classroom, too. Organizations like Brevard County Parks and Recreation, Keep Brevard Beautiful and the Brevard County Natural Resources Management Department, where Mrs. Melvin last worked, contribute greatly to science literacy.

The evening had other special moments including recognition of Suzanne Leslie, retired from the Eastern Florida State College Planetarium and Observatory, for her support of the Exemplary Science Teacher Awards Program. For well over ten years the awards banquet had been held at the Planetarium in Cocoa, which is closed and may not re-open due to hurricane damage. John Latherow, who recently retired from Satellite High and who is a past Hall of Fame winner was recognized for his years of service and was invited to continue to inspire others by becoming a member of the Space Coast Science Education Alliance.

The SCSEA is a nonprofit representing organizations and individuals who work together to improve scientific education and STEM literacy in Brevard County. For more information about the Exemplary Science Teacher Awards or SCSEA, please visit www.spacecoastscience.org.

For more information, please contact Susan Schleith, SCSCEA Treasurer and FSEC K-12 Education Program Director, at susan@fsec.ucf.edu or 321-638-1017.

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