Local Students Make Real-Life Connections with the World of Renewable Energy Technologies

TAMPA, Fla. - June 25, 2015 - PRLog -- FLATE (Florida Advanced Technological Education Center), the National Science Foundation Center of Excellence in manufacturing, supporting high-tech manufacturing and manufacturing-related careers and technical education in Florida is hosting its fifth, annual summer energy camp for students from Beth Shields Middle School in Ruskin, FL., and Pierce Middle School in Tampa. Participating students are currently enrolled in Hillsborough County’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, with many being first generation, college-bound students. The four day energy camp will be held June 29-July 2, 2015 at Hillsborough Community College’s South Shore Campus in Ruskin, FL. The camp is made possible through a partnership between the Hillsborough County School District, FLATE, Hillsborough Community College (HCC) and the Florida Energy Systems Consortium (FESC).

During the four-day camp, students will learn about the many aspects of renewable energy technologies and participate in fun and challenging hands-on activities that will help them make real-life connections with the world of renewable energy. Solar-powered cell phone chargers, hydrogen fueled cars and wind-powered water wheels are just a few of the projects students will be working on during the camp. “As the production of renewable energy continues to grow, camps like this one educate tomorrow’s citizens about issues that will directly impact their lives in the future” said Nina Stokes, camp director and FESC project manager for FLATE. Students will also learn about energy concepts including fossil fuels and their environmental impact, and the science and technology behind electricity generation.

Highlights of experiments and activities include:

Day 1

11:45          Force of Water Experiment & Tidal Wave experiments

Day 2

9:30          Design & build solar cookers (pizza boxes, foil, mylar)

11:45          Construct a windmill

Day 3          Field trip to TECO

Day 4

9:35          Hydrogen Fuel Cells/Hydrogen Fuel Car Activity

11:30          “Green” Tour of Southshore Campus by Dr. A Witt, Campus President

SouthShore is a LEED-certified green building. The new science and technology building due to open in August will also be a LEED-certified building.2015 marks the fifth year for FLATE’s summer Energy Camp at HCC SouthShore. The program is funded through FLATE and FESC (Florida Energy Systems Consortium) a consortium of Florida universities established by the Florida Legislature.For more information about the energy camp contact Nina Stokes, FLATE-FESC project manager at nstokes@hccfl.edu and 813.259.6587, or visit www.fl-ate.org.

FLATEis a National Science Foundation Regional Center of Excellence, committed to ensuring Florida has a well prepared workforce for advanced and emerging technologies. Created in 2004, FLATE is one of 39 Advanced Technological Education Centers in the United States funded by the National Science Foundation focused on improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and training to meet the needs of American advanced technology industries. For more information visit www.fl-ate.org.