Iowa Energy Center Press Releases

$12,500 AWARDED FOR ENERGY-RELATED PROJECTS AT STATE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FAIR

The Iowa Energy Center marked its 10th year of awarding the Youth and Energy Scholarships by presenting a record $12,500 to students with exceptional energy-related projects. Six Iowa high school students received Youth and Energy Scholarships at the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa, held in Ames, March 30-31, 2007.

Four $2,500 scholarships were awarded to:

• Central Lee High School junior, Kelsey Hammer, for her project, “Biotech in Biofuel: The Benefits of Bacillus Thuringiensis Corn in Producing Energy Efficient Ethanol.”
  
• Keota Senior High School sophomore, Shelby Sieren, for her project, “ Glycerin Increasing the Burn in Biomass.”
  
• Solon High School seniors, Reed Agne and Ryan Krafka, for their team project, “Got Wind? The Effect of Blade Design and Pitch on Torque.”

The $1,250 Youth and Energy Scholarships were awarded to:

• West Central Valley High School senior, Heidi Ackelson, for her project, “Storage Methods of Switch Grass for Ethanol Production.”
  
• Central Lee High School junior, Jordan Lightfoot, for his project, “Waste Not!”

The Energy Center created the scholarship program in an effort to encourage Iowa students’ interest in energy issues. Over the last ten years, the Energy Center has awarded a total of $92,125 in scholarships to 36 students from 11 Iowa high schools. The Energy Center’s scholarships are used to help pay tuition and fees at the college or university of the student’s choice. If he or she should choose to attend an Iowa school, an additional $500 is added to the award.

The Iowa Energy Center is dedicated to improving Iowa’s energy efficiency and use of renewable energy through research, demonstration, and education. To learn more about the Energy Center and funding opportunities, look online at www.energy.iastate.edu.

Group photo available:

Group Photo
Caption: Floyd Barwig, director of the Iowa Energy Center, presented five Youth and Energy Scholarships at the 2007 State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa, totaling $12,500. This is the tenth year the Energy Center has awarded scholarships, totaling $92,125.

(L-R) Ryan Krafka and Reed Agne from Solon High School each received a $2,500 scholarship for their project, "Got Wind? The Effect of Blade Design and Pitch on Torque." Shelby Sieren, a sophomore at Keota Senior High School, received $2,500 for her project, "Glycerin Increasing the Burn in Biomass." Kelsey Hammer, a Central Lee High School junior, received $2,500 for her project, "Biotech in Biofuel: The Benefits of Bacillus Thuringiensis Corn in Producing Energy Efficient Ethanol." West Central Valley High School senior, Heidi Ackelson, received $1,250 for her project, "Storage Methods of Switch Grass for Ethanol Production." Jordan Lightfoot, a Central Lee High School junior, received $1,250 for his project, "Waste Not!"

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