The Wellesley Education Foundation and the Wellesley Municipal Light have launched the second annual STEM EXPO Sustainability Challenge. This contest is designed to engage Wellesley students by inviting them to write an essay, story, poem, or persuasive argument. Students are invited to create an artwork/model or make a video about how renewable energy (solar, wind, hydroelectric, etc.) might impact their lives and the environment in the future.
To enter the Sustainability Challenge, participants must live or go to school in Wellesley. For more information and to submit, visit http://goo.gl/cxA5it by March 24.
“With nearly 90 homes in Wellesley powered by solar, and the numerous wind turbines scattered across New England, students see this form of energy every day,” said Jessica Stanton of Wellesley Green Schools. “This Challenge offers them a non-traditional way to get more familiar with renewable energy and an understanding of how it provides energy to our homes and businesses today, and in the years to come,” Stanton said.
Creative and visionary winners will be honored at the Wellesley STEM EXPO on April 8 with special VIP access, refreshments, award recognition, and a chance to be interviewed on television. This is also a great launching pad for state and federal student environmental awards.
The EXPO, hosted by Wellesley Education Foundation (WEF), is a hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) exposition. On Saturday, April 8, Wellesley High School will be transformed into an interactive science center, offering hands-on exhibits, workshops and a student work showcase. Residents are encouraged to mark their calendars to be inspired by the 140+ exhibits and workshops between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., the Keynote speaker (Dr. Ed Bertschinger) from 2-3 p.m., and a meet the STEM Professionals event for High Schoolers from 3-4 p.m.
“WEF, a charitable organization dedicated to advancing innovation and excellence in the Wellesley Public Schools, is proud to present the 2017 Sustainability Challenge,” said Susan Ryan, Co-President of WEF. “Through the funding of programs and grants for over thirty years, WEF has championed the love of learning in our district -- from the first day of preschool, through high school graduation and beyond -- and this Challenge continues to promote this love of learning,” Ryan said.
WEF works to unite the entire community in enthusiastic support of Wellesley’s schools, and is going even further to support another community project: Wellesley’s goal to reduce its carbon footprint.
“Wellesley’s goal to reduce its carbon footprint 25% by the year 2020 requires commitment from all different sectors of the community and Wellesley’s MLP is proud to be doing its part,” said Debra J. Healy, Assistant Director of the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant. “Through our Power to Choose program, we offer residents and local businesses the opportunity to elect to have some or all of their energy come from renewable energy sources. “Choosing renewable energy, in many cases for less than the price of a cup of coffee a month, will not only help the town meet its carbon reduction goal, it will improve Wellesley’s national ranking for voluntary renewable energy from its current number three position,” Healy said.
