June 16, 2016

Duke Energy Academy at Purdue to mark 5th anniversary for connecting teachers, inspiring students to energy careers

Sharma Pankaj Sharma
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Duke Energy Academy at Purdue is advancing learning and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for high school students with an eye toward their future.

The Purdue Energy Center in Discovery Park next week will host the fifth annual Duke Energy Academy at Purdue, with 42 high school students and 42 teachers seeking to broaden their knowledge of energy sciences and engineering.

Beginning Sunday (June 19) and running through June 25, participants will enjoy a week of hands-on activities, from energy research projects and interdisciplinary team learning to field trips to a solar farm, compressed natural gas filling station and a coal plant.

"We face a national crisis in the number and quality of students entering the STEM disciplines that will have a future impact on our ability to lead the world in energy solutions," said Pankaj Sharma, managing director of the Purdue Energy Center. "The only way to solve this problem is to provide talented students with the resources and programs necessary to inspire them to pursue their opportunities in energy."

During the week, student teams will work on interdisciplinary energy-related research projects based on STEM disciplines and address the challenging issues of sustainability, environment, economics, business, policy and regulation. Teachers will develop STEM-based lesson plans for learning in their classrooms.

Speakers from Purdue, industry and government will address energy-related topics and engage students and teachers in discussions of energy research, development and deployment issues, and current events, said Sharma, who has a courtesy appointment as an associate professor of technology leadership and innovation.

The highlights include a talk, titled "A Dialogue on the Future of the Energy Industry," by Ron Holcomb, chief executive officer at Tipmont REMC, from noon to 1:15 p.m. June 22. Doug Esamann, executive vice president and president of Duke Energy's Midwest and Florida regions, will speak on "Renewables Integration and Grid Challenges" at 5 p.m. June 22 in the Jade Room at Shreve Hall.

Purdue alum Bob Bowen, founder and board chairman at Indianapolis-based Bowen Engineering Corp., will give the talk, "Inspiration and Careers in Engineering & Technology," from 1-1:45 p.m. June 24 in Discovery Park's Discovery Learning Research Center, Room 131.

Byrd Melody Birmingham-Byrd
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A certificate ceremony and closing celebration on June 25 will feature Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, chief scientist and executive director of Discovery Park; Melody Birmingham-Byrd, president of Duke Energy's Indiana operations; and Purdue alum Steve Katsaros, chief executive officer of alternative energy company Nokero International.

A range of hands-on activities will put lecture lessons into principle, including a power transmission and distribution project; a Renewable Energy Challenge; hands-on activities for the Principles of Grid Operation; and a LEGO Mindstorm project. Off-campus activities include a tour of Duke Energy's Cayuga generating station near Terre Haute; Tipmont REMC solar farm near Linden; and CityBus, the Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corp.

"Through the Duke Energy Academy at Purdue, we aim to inspire passion in STEM and lead students to a career field they may have otherwise been unaware of," Birmingham-Byrd said. "These students will come away from the academy with an increased interest in getting involved in the energy industry and helping us solve future challenges."

Participation in the 2016 Energy Academy is provided free of charge to those students and teachers selected this year by competitive process. Teachers will receive a $400 stipend for participating. For the full Purdue experience, students and teachers stay in residence halls and eat at campus dining court facilities. Purdue undergraduate juniors and seniors will serve as counselors. On the program's final day, each team will present results of their energy project to an audience composed of professors, industrial sponsors and parents.

The academy will provide continuous resources and support to students and teachers after the week is over. A number of teachers will be asked to return to Purdue to share their experience in designing and delivering energy lessons in their classrooms, fostering a community dedicated to improving STEM education. See video.

The Energy Academy at Purdue is made possible through primary funding provided by the Duke Energy Foundation and corporate sponsorships that allow participants to attend the academy free of charge.

External co-sponsors and supporters for the program's first five years include Bowen Engineering, Bio-Rad Laboratories, CityBus, Faegre Baker Daniels, General Electric, Goldwind, Green Tech America, Horizon Educational, Ivy Tech Community College, Kidwind Project, National Energy Education Development Project, Nokero International, RPiWare, Shell Energy, Siemens Energy, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Tipmont REMC and WindStream Technologies Inc.

The academy is organized by the Purdue Energy Center, a Discovery Park research center focused on advancing energy sciences and engineering for sustainable energy solutions. 

Media Contacts: Phillip Fiorini, Purdue University, 765-496-3133, pfiorini@purdue.edu

Angeline Protogere, 317-838-1338, angeline.protogere@duke-energy.com 

Source: Pankaj Sharma, 765-496-7452, sharma@purdue.edu

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