Several Northwoods schools were winners this week at the 22nd annual Solar Olympics, held at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The competition is sponsored by Wisconsin Public Service.
WPS spokesperson Matt Cullen outlines the competition...
"....Solar Olympics provide high school students throughout our service area with a fun, hands-on event to help reinforce what they've learned about a renewable source of energy. The high schools that participate are in our Solarwise for Schools program which provides lessons on renewable energy and maintenance of previously-installed solar systems. Of the 63 high schools within the service area, 53 are participants in the Solarwise for Schools program...."
200 students from 17 high schools in northeast and north central Wisconsin participated, using their solar inventions to power small machines and inspire artistic designs in 14 separate events. In keeping with Olympic tradition, the top three competitors in each event received gold, silver and bronze medals.
Gold medalists at this year’s Solar Olympics include:
• Solar Car Race: Tomahawk High School
• Solar T-Shirt Design: Lakeland Union High School
• Solar Art Challenge: Marinette, Mishicot and Lakeland Union High Schools (combined entry)
SolarWise for Schools is operated by the WPS Community Foundation. With the support of approximately 2,500 donors since its inception, the WPS Community Foundation has helped thousands of students learn about solar energy, both in the classroom and through the installation of solar energy systems at 56 high schools.
