Feature Story

FSEC Remembers Former President Jimmy Carter

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By Janet McIlvaine and Sherri Shields.

Former President Jimmy Carter hammering a nail into frame of new construction home.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and more than 6,000 volunteers work together in Houston, Texas during a June 1998 Jimmy Carter Work Project to “blitz build” 100 ENERGYSTAR® houses. Photo: Houston Chronicle

As the nation pays tribute to the late and former President Jimmy Carter, FSEC remembers him especially for his advocacy for energy efficiency and affordable housing. From establishing the U.S. Department of Energy, and installing the first solar panels on the White House, to building houses with Habitat for Humanity, President Carter’s solar and humanitarian legacy lives on.

The hand prints of Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter are on Habitat for Humanity homes around the world. They were there, diligently working alongside 104,000 volunteers to build 4,390 homes in 14 countries during their more than 35-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity International.

While this year also marks the Florida Solar Energy Center’s 50th anniversary, we reflect on FSEC’s contributions. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America program, FSEC focused on making “affordable housing” truly more affordable by incorporating energy-efficiency in the design process.

FSEC provided technical assistance, energy design, volunteer training, and on-site implementation leadership at six Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Projects from 1997-2007, resulting in 236 high-performance and ENERGY STAR®-certified homes in Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, New York, California, Kentucky, Louisiana and Texas. Read more

Space Coast Community Honors Brevard County Exemplary Science Teachers

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Each year, the Space Coast Science Education Alliance (SCSEA) honors the top science teachers in Brevard County. The Exemplary Science Teacher Award is given in recognition of teachers who go above and beyond to foster a love of learning and develop science literacy among their students. This year, four teachers received the distinguished award.

“It is a true honor to celebrate four of the most dedicated and talented science teachers in Brevard County,” says Kevin Smith, president, SCSEA. “We are grateful for their contributions and the opportunity to recognize their hard work.”

The 2024 Exemplary Science Teacher Award winners are:

  •  Elizabeth Youngs, Viera High School
  • Nicole Nelson, South Lake Elementary School
  • Alexandria Wicker, DeLaura Middle School
  • Kayla Wildenthaler, Mila Elementary School
Photo of award winners holding their gifts in front of sign.
(Left to right) Alexandria Wicker, DeLaura Middle; Elizabeth Youngs, Viera High (Hall of Fame Inductee); Kayla Wildenthaler, Mila Elementary; Nicole Nelson, South Lake Elementary. Photo credit: Sherri Shields

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UCF Mechanical Engineering Student Receives FEWC’s Inaugural Scholarship

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The Florida Energy Workforce Consortium launched a new scholarship this year promoting careers in energy. Timothy Gallagher, a mechanical engineering student at the University of Central Florida, is one of two recipients of this inaugural award. Each recipient received a check for $2000 to further their goal of working in the energy industry.

Monica Marlow, FEWC Board Member and Finance Chair, presents scholarship check to Timothy Gallagher, UCF engineering student and FSEC employee.
Monica Marlow, FEWC Board Member, presents scholarship check to Timothy Gallagher, UCF engineering student and FSEC employee. Photo: Antoine Hart

“We are proud to be able to offer the scholarships to the students who plan the careers in energy sector as another way of supporting energy workforce development,” said Olec Andrić, Education Chair at Florida Energy Workforce Consortium. “We are looking forward to support Timothy Gallagher’s growth at UCF and a successful start of his energy career.” Read more

2024 EnergyWhiz Award Winners

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EnergyWhiz was held on Saturday, April 20th, 2024. Listed below are the award winners for the competitions: Critter Comfort Cottage, Energy Inspired Art, Junior Solar Sprint, and Solar Energy Cook-off.

CRITTER COMFORT COTTAGE (C3)

Best Design

Elementary (3-5) Division

1st – Team Turtle-Tastic, Sally Ride Elementary, Orlando Teacher: Beatriz Berriz

2nd – Happy Hamsters, Red Bug Elementary, Casselberry Teacher: Tisha Greek

3rd – EcoDragons, Lockmar Elementary, Palm Bay Teacher: Jennifer Lucas

 

Middle (6-8) Division

1st – Sustainable Krill Farm, Switzerland Point Middle, Jacksonville Coach: Ricardo Haragutchi

2nd – Croaky Critters, Pershing K-8, Orlando Teacher: Heather Febres

3rd – The Leaping Lizards (Napoleon), Pershing K-8, Orlando Teacher: Heather Febres

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Space Coast Community Celebrates Its 25th Year Recognizing Exemplary Science Teachers

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Six outstanding science teachers received the distinguished Exemplary Science Teacher Award from the Space Coast Science Education Alliance (SCSEA) last Space Coast Science Education Alliance SCSEA logoweek at a dinner honoring their achievement. The award is given in recognition of Brevard County teachers who go above and beyond to foster a love of learning and develop science literacy among their students.  

“When SCSEA started this program 25 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.”       

The dinner was hosted by UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center®, where FSEC Deputy Director, Philip Fairey, addressed the teachers with some notable remarks. “The scientific method is rigorous—requiring defensible evidence-based results. Science is not a belief as some claim. Rather, it is a method of discovery that has significantly improved human existence over time. And this is what you do—you teach our children what science is and why it is so important.”

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