Learn about the events and competitions below.
EnergyWhiz
April 22, 2023
Cocoa, FL
Registration due by April 6th.
This in-person event is where it all started. Hosted in Cocoa, FL at the FSEC Energy Research Center, EnergyWhiz is an exciting once-a-year gathering of students participating in fun educational competitions. View and print an event flyer.
| Competitions | Grades | Divisions | Max Teams per School | Team Size | Fee per team | Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critter Comfort Cottage | 3-12 | 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | No limit | 2-6 | $40 | |
| Energy Inspired Art | K-12 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | No limit | 1-6 | $40 | |
| Junior Solar Sprint | 4-8 | 4-6, 7-8 | 2 | 2-4 | $40 | |
| Solar Energy Cook-Off | 3-12 | 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | 2 | 2-6 | $40 |
EnergyWhiz Virtual
March 29 – 31, 2023
Registration due by March 17th.
Your location won’t limit your participation in this virtual event. The rules are modified to accommodate on-line only submissions but the thrill of competing stays the same! The week-long format provides ample time to explore projects, leave constructive feedback and hear what others think of your work.
| Competitions | Grades | Divisions | Max Teams per School | Team Size | Fee per team | Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critter Comfort Cottage | 3-12 | 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | No limit | 1-6 | $10* | |
| Energy Inspired Art | K-12 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | No limit | 1-6 | $10* | |
| Energy Transfer Machine | 3-12 | 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | No limit | 1-6 | $10* | |
| Junior Solar Sprint | 4-8 | 4-6, 7-8 | No limit | 1-6 | $10* | |
| Solar Energy Cook-Off | 3-12 | 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | No limit | 1-6 | $10* |
*or $40 per school for unlimited registrations
EnergyWhiz Regional Events
Dates set by each region
Similar to the in-person EnergyWhiz held at the FSEC Energy Research Center, these events are hosted by schools to bring the educational benefits and fun of EnergyWhiz to their local students without needing to travel to Cocoa, FL.
| Event | Date | Competitions | Location | Contact | Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North FL Regional | April 2nd | Junior Solar Sprint Solar Energy Cook-Off | Leon High School 550 E Tennessee St, Tallahassee | ReThink Energy Florida | JSS SECO CCC |
| West Central FL Regional | March 25th | Junior Solar Sprint Solar Energy Cook-Off Critter Comfort Cottage | Rodgers Middle Magnet School 11910 Tucker Rd, Riverview | Mike Wilson | JSS SECO CCC |
To host an EnergyWhiz Regional Event in your area, contact Penny Hall.
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Competition Details
Critter Comfort Cottage
The Critter Comfort Cottage (C3) competition is a real-world engineering and communications challenge. Students use green building design and construction techniques to create an energy-efficient, cost-effective, comfortable “home” for a critter. Teams must also create a marketing plan that describes the features and benefits of their comfort cottage for the critter they have selected.
C3 Rules:
More Info:
Judging Sheet Examples:
Energy Inspired Art
Energy Inspired Art (EIA) is a competition where the objective is to create a work of art that is inspired by an aspect of renewable energy, energy efficiency and/or climate science. Any art media, technique, visual, performance, musical or literary art may be submitted.
EIA Rules:
Judging Sheet Examples:
Energy Transfer Machine
In the Energy Transfer Machine (ETM) competition students are challenged to transform everyday materials into a wacky, innovative machine that performs a variety of energy transfers within a specified time. The machine must accomplish a team-specified task at the one-minute mark. Students don’t need to transport their contraptions, instead they submit a video of their machine in action.
ETM Rules:
More Info:
Judging Sheet Examples:
Junior Solar Sprint
In this Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) competition, students build a model size solar electric car. Students submit their design journals, photos and a video of their car running using the Sun’s Energy. Each car is judged on technology, craftsmanship, innovation and appearance. This event challenges students to use their science, creative thinking, and teamwork skills.
JSS Rules:
More info:
Judging Sheet Examples:
Supplemental classroom/team activities to aid team design decisions:
Solar Car kits, which include a 3V solar panel and an electric motor, can be bought from:
Related Links:
Solar Energy Cook-Off
There are two parts to theSolar Energy Cook-Off (SECO) competition. Students will begin by designing and building a solar thermal “oven” to cook their tasty creations. Then, students present their solar-cooked dish to a panel of judges. Students compete for best solar cooker design, as well as a culinary award.
Students show off their knowledge and abilities in engineering and construction. Likewise, they also show their problem-solving skills.
Judging Sheet Examples:
