Feature Story

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.

FSEC Energy Research Center, in partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Energy, is modifying this traditionally in-person event to be in virtual format. New rules will be posted later this month at: https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/education/k-12/energywhiz/

Competitions will be:

• Junior Solar Sprint
• Energy Transfer Machine
• Energy Innovations

One of the biggest changes will be in the Energy Innovations category. Energy Innovations is now open to adults, and it has also expanded to include solar cooking and energy-efficient buildings (and pet houses).

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

Although COVID-19 put the brakes on the annual EnergyWhiz event and Earth Day celebration at FSEC Energy Research Center in Cocoa this year, there are many ways to celebrate Earth Day’s 50^th Anniversay while also meeting social distancing guidelines.

FSEC offers several free online activities and fun experiments that students, teachers, and parents can do right from their homes.

• Did you know that you could cook without electricity or fire? Learn how to make several different solar ovens using simple materials.
• Did you ever wonder how people used to tell time without a clock or watch? Learn to make two different sundials.
• Do you know how to purify water using only a few simple materials? Discover how easy it is to learn one way to be self-sufficient.
• Do you need to relax and be creative at the same time? Feel free to color outside the lines of an environmentally-focused coloring book:
  • Planet Janitor. This English/Spanish edition environmental coloring book illustrates how the world is in our hands.
  • Take a Trip to Clean Air. This environmental coloring book explores the various alternative fuels available for transportation.
• TEACHERS: Did you know FSEC offers a solar curricula for students in grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 that meets Florida State Standards?

Learn about these activities and more at: http://www.energywhiz.com/

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 back next year, shining a light on student creativity, ingenuity and teamwork. Mark your calendars for April 24, 2021. Learn more at: www.fsec.ucf.edu/go/energywhiz.