Teaching and learning about renewable
energy through the EnergyWhiz Olympics is fun, effective and unforgettable. Studies show that most
people learn by doing. Each of the
events at the EnergyWhiz Olympics
provides hands-on learning opportunities
even the most science-shy student can
enjoy. Events involve skills and knowledge
for the beginner to the most advanced
science student. Here are some easy
ways to get your students involved:
Hundreds of students each year – from
all across Florida – participate in the
renewable energy competitions.
When: First Saturday in May
Where: Florida Solar Energy Center/
University of Central Florida
1679 Clearlake Road
Cocoa, Florida 32922-5703
(321) 638-1018
www.energywhiz.com
www.fsec.ucf.edu
Non-profit
Organization
1) Watch the EnergyWhiz Olympics video – http://vimeo.com/9522310
2) Visit the EnergyWhiz Olympics
webpage - http://www.fsec.ucf.
edu/go/energywhiz
3) Attend the next EnergyWhiz Olympics as an observer or volunteer
The EnergyWhiz Olympics
is all about clean energy
and creativity!
4) If you’re a teacher, participate in an
FSEC Teacher Workshop - http://
www.fsec.ucf.edu/go/professional development
5) Try out some FSEC science lessons available at http://www.fsec.ucf.
edu/go/k-12
6) Borrow some energy materials from
the FSEC Lending Library – Contact Penny at penny@fsec.ucf.edu
7) Check-out the EnergyWhiz.com
website for student-focused energy activities and information
Contact the FSEC Education Department
for more ideas – penny@fsec.ucf.edu Florida Solar
Energy Center®
Creating Energy Independence
EW-10
Bright House Solar Energy Cookoff
Junior Solar Sprint
Energy Innovations
Hydrogen Challenge
Electrathon
University of Central Florida
1679 Clearlake Road
Cocoa, FL 32922-5703
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The
EnergyWhiz
Olympics
Florida Solar Energy Center®
Events in the EnergyWhiz Olympics
include:
Permit No. 136
The Florida Solar Energy Center® (FSEC®) –
a research institute of the University of
Central Florida – created the EnergyWhiz
Olympics (EWO) in 1999. EWO is a
forum for students to demonstrate their
science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) capabilities through
hands-on, energy-focused competitions.
.
Cocoa, FL 32926
Getting Started
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
EnergyWhiz Olympics
www.fsec.ucf.edu
Electrathon
(High School – Adult)
The Electrathon is a competition
involving custom, student-designed
and built, electric vehicles. Powered
by an electric motor and batteries,
these go-cart-type vehicles must be
skillfully designed, built and driven
to maximize distance traveled within
a given time limit.
Bright House Solar Energy
Cookoff (4th – 12th Grades)
Hydrogen Challenge
(6th – 12th Grades)
Sponsored by Bright House Networks,
this two-part competition attracts students
with diverse talents and interests. This event
combines knowledge and abilities used in engineering, construction and culinary arts.
Teams of students apply problem-solving skills
to design and build solar thermal devices that
are used to cook their culinary creations. www.energywhiz.com/go/solarcookoff
Junior Solar Sprint
The Hydrogen Challenge provides a
hands-on opportunity for middle and
high school students to utilize their
STEM skills in a fun and creative way.
Students are challenged to transform
everyday materials into a wacky, innovative machine that accomplishes
a team-specified task at the two minute
mark using a variety of energy transfers
including power from a hydrogen fuel cell. www.energywhiz.com/go/
hydrogenchallenge
(4th – 8th Grades)
The Junior Solar Sprint challenges middle
school students to use scientific know-how,
creative thinking, experimentation and teamwork to design and build high-
performance photovoltaic (solar electric) cars. Each team produces a model-sized car that is judged on technology, craftsmanship,
innovation and appearance. Cars also race on
a 20-meter track in a head-to-head
competition. www.energywhiz.com/go/jss
Energy Innovations
(6th – 12th Grades)
For more information about the
Electrathon and how you can be involved, visit:
Electrathonoftampabay.org
Energy Innovations requires students to work
together to design and market a full-scale solar-powered device that has real-world applicability. The projects are given design
awards based on the creativity, construction,
message and marketing of the product. www.energywhiz.com/go/energyinnovations
For More Information
www.energywhiz.com/
energywhiz_olympics/,
or see a video about the events at
http://vimeo.com/9522310.
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