Feature Story

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/.

VIRTUAL EnergyWhiz 2021

Sherri Shields Energy News, Feature Story 0 Comment

EnergyWhiz Laptop LogoEnergyWhiz—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:

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/.

DOE Says Combining Floating Solar With Hydroelectric Could Provide 40% Of The World’s Energy Needs

Sherri Shields Feature Story, FSEC in the News , 0 Comment

iStock | Getty Images. Solar panels in aerial view, rows array of polycrystalline silicon solar cells or photovoltaics in solar power plant floating on the water in lake.A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory suggests that if floating solar was installed on hydro reservoirs globally, the hybrid systems could generate anywhere from 16% to 40% of the world’s demand for electricity. FSEC’s John Sherwin, program manager of testing and certification, agrees and speculates the generation to be on the middle to lower end of that scale, without first researching how solar panels respond to the stress of being on the water, as well as other variables.

CleanTechnica | October 5, 2020