EnergyWhiz – Page 2 – The Energy Chronicle

EVTC Helping to Make STEM Learning Relevant Through Electrathon

Sherri Shields Energy News July 18, 2016July 18, 2016battery, Electrathon, electric, EnergyWhiz, go-carts, high school 0 Comment

By Susan Schleith
July 18, 2016

There was no roar of engines and no smelly fumes as the electric go-carts sped by the attentive crowd of students, teachers and the public gathered by the track in front of UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa. This was the final race of the Electrathon season coordinated by Electrathon of Tampa Bay, which was held in conjunction with the statewide EnergyWhiz event on Saturday, May 14, 2016. Over one thousand people, young and old, attended EnergyWhiz, with the opportunity to learn about a variety of clean energy technologies, including hydrogen, photovoltaics and electric vehicles.

Photo of go-cart type electric vehicles ready to race at FSEC as part of EnergyWhiz. — Electrathon vehicles get in place before the last race of the 2015-2016 Season at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa.

The Electrathon is a race featuring battery-powered electric go-carts that have been designed and built by the participating individuals and teams. There are no refueling pit stops during an Electrathon race; the challenge is completing the most laps in one hour without completely draining the vehicle’s battery. Nine organizations were represented at the event with several of those with multiple teams; a total of 13 vehicles raced.

EnergyWhiz Energizes Students in Hydrogen and Solar

Sherri Shields Awards, Press Release May 28, 2015May 29, 2015EnergyWhiz, K-12, renewable energy, schools 1 Comment

By Sherri Shields
May 28, 2015

It’s a growing phenomenon in Florida! From the Panhandle to the Keys, EnergyWhiz is drawing in students fascinated with renewable energy technology.

EnergyWhiz – a venue for students to demonstrate their science, technology, engineering, art, and math capabilities through hands-on, energy-focused projects and activities.

EnergyWhiz, which includes six separate competitions, is a venue for students in grades fourth through 12^th to demonstrate their science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics capabilities through hands-on, energy-focused competitions. At this year’s 13^th annual event on May 2, more than 650 energized students from across Florida converged at the University of Central Florida’s FSEC in Cocoa to showcase their renewable energy projects and participate in the competitions. “We like making things run on the sun,” said Conner Dale, a student from Edgewood Junior Senior High. “It’s fun to interact with other students from across the state,” added Raydn Hall.

Tallahassee, Gainesville and Orlando hosted smaller EnergyWhiz Expos this year, leading up to the major EnergyWhiz event. “In an effort to reach more students, we’re encouraging teachers across Florida to host regional EnergyWhiz Expos, and then the winners of the expos will advance to the state level and compete at FSEC,” said Susan Schleith, K-12 education director at FSEC.

Students with red clown noses and neon colored wigs stand around contraption while judges look on. — Team Welcome to the Carnival from Milwee Middle School in Longwood earns the WOW! Award in the Hydrogen Challenge. *Photo: Sherri Shields*

2015 EnergyWhiz Winners

Sherri Shields Awards May 4, 2015May 28, 2015EnergyWhiz, students 1 Comment

REVISED
May 21, 2015

SOLAR ENERGY COOKOFF

EnergyWhiz – a forum for students to demonstrate their science, technology, engineering, art, and math capabilities through hands-on, energy-focused projects and activities.

Best Design – Yellow Division

1st Place – Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ocean Breeze Elementary, Indian Harbor Beach
2nd Place – Team B.A.M., Martinez Middle, Lutz
3rd Place – Solar Sizzlers, Newberry Elementary, Newberry

Best Design – Orange Division

1st Place – Solar Buddies, Hidden Oaks Middle, Palm City
2nd Place – Rain in Spain Cooking Company, Lake Nona Middle, Orlando
3rd Place – Girls, Doing Work!, Lake Nona Middle, Orlando

Best Design – Red Division

1st Place – Solar Apes, Pine Ridge High, Deltona
2nd Place – Thunder Tabemono, Lake Region High, Eagle Lake
3rd Place – The Doctor’s Delight, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

MEDIA ADVISORY: Student-Designed and Built Solar Cars, Electric Go-Carts, Solar Cookers, Hydrogen Cars and Contraptions, Energy Efficient Pet Homes and Solar Inventions – All in One Day!

Sherri Shields Media Advisory, Press Release April 8, 2015May 8, 2015Bright House, cars, competitions, energy, EnergyWhiz, hydrogen, Junior Solar Sprint, pets, PV, solar cooking, students 1 Comment

By Sherri Shields
April 8, 2015

WHY:

The 13th annual EnergyWhiz, a daylong event showcasing student-built energy projects. These hands-on renewable energy activities expose students to alternative energy fuel sources and encourage scientific know-how, creative thinking, experimentation and teamwork.

WHO:

More than 800 elementary, middle, high school and college students from across Florida will participate in the University of Central Florida/ Florida Solar Energy Center event.

Brevard County Parks and Recreation, in partnership with FSEC, is sponsoring the EcoLiving Jubilee, where various energy and environmental organizations will be on site to share information about their products and services.

Florida Students Compete With Energy Solutions

Sherri Shields Press Release May 6, 2008cars, EnergyWhiz, hydrogen, Hydrogen Sprint, Junior Solar Sprint, solar

Cocoa, Fla. – With the constant rise of gas prices, energy is on everyone’s mind these days, including our students’. On Saturday, May 3, hundreds of students from more than 40 schools all over Florida competed in the sixth-annual EnergyWhizOlympics at the University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa. Here they put their knowledge and skills to work toward finding solutions to our nation’s energy challenges.

This alternative energy competition, sponsored by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, highlights the science and engineering skills of middle school and high school students as they participate in activities related to real-world energy issues by racing solar and hydrogen-powered model cars.

“We were so impressed with the level of competition this year,” said Susan Schleith, project manager for the EnergyWhiz Olympics. “Students are beginning to take a real interest in alternative energy, which is promising for our future energy independence.” Read more