Iowa Energy Center Press Releases

EXCEPTIONAL ENERGY-RELATED PROJECTS AT STATE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FAIR

(AMES) - The Iowa Energy Center marked its 12th year of awarding the Youth and Energy Scholarships by presenting a total of $6,250 to students with exceptional energy-related projects. Three Iowa high school students received Youth and Energy Scholarships at the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa, held in Ames, March 28 - 29, 2008.

$2,500 scholarships were awarded to Keota High School junior, Shelby Sieren, for her project, “ Glycerin Absorption and Combustion for Energy Production,” and to Ames High School freshman, Avanthi Ajjarapu, for her project, “Going Green: A Decentralized Approach to Biodiesel Production for a Local Farmer.” The $1,250 Youth and Energy Scholarships was awarded to West Central Valley High School junior, Ethan Erickson, for his project, “Algae: Fuel of the Future.”

This is the second year in a row that Sieren was recognized with a Youth and Energy Scholarship for her work with glycerin. This is the first year an Ames High School student received the Energy Center's award.

The Energy Center created the scholarship program in an effort to encourage Iowa students’ interest in energy issues. Over the last twelve years, the Energy Center has awarded a total of $98,375 in scholarships to 38 students from 12 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.

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