High school students, teachers can register for 2017 Duke Energy Academy at Purdue

High school students engage in STEM-based activities during the weeklong Duke Energy Academy program on the Purdue University campus in June 2016. (Photos/Duke Energy Academy at Purdue/Purdue Energy Center) Download image

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Registration for the sixth annual Duke Energy Academy at Purdue is now open to high school juniors and seniors and secondary teachers. The 2017 program runs June 18-24 on the Purdue University campus.

Each year, 42 students and 42 teachers are selected to participate in the weeklong academy focused on the energy sciences and engineering. Participation is free of charge, and teachers will receive a $400 stipend upon program completion.

The registration deadline is Jan. 16 for the Duke Energy Academy at Purdue. Those interested in applying can visit http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/energy/energyacademy for more information.

High school students engage in STEM-based activities during the weeklong Duke Energy Academy program on the Purdue University campus in June 2016. (Photos/Duke Energy Academy at Purdue/Purdue Energy Center) Download image

"Participants in the Duke Energy Academy are provided with the engaging resources and experiences necessary to impact not only their own careers but the future of energy sciences as well," said Pankaj Sharma, managing director of Discovery Park's Purdue Energy Center. "Purdue is excited to partner with Duke Energy for a sixth year, and we hope the academy sparks a passion for STEM in students and teachers alike for many years to come."

During the program, students and teachers can further explore STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) topics through a variety of activities. Guest speakers, including Purdue professors and graduate students as well as industry and government representatives, offer interactive lectures on current energy topics.

Participants will tour local and regional energy facilities, such as a solar farm and a coal plant. They also participate in hands-on activities and collaborative research projects in subject areas from fuel cells to rechargeable batteries.

Academy participants receive the full Purdue experience by staying in residential halls and eating meals together in campus dining facilities. Throughout the week, teachers work on STEM-based lesson plans for their classrooms.

The Duke Energy Academy at Purdue is primarily funded by a substantial grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, which covers participation fees for all attendees.

In previous years, co-sponsors and supporters of the program have included Bowen Engineering, Bio-Rad Laboratories, CityBus Greater Lafayette, General Electric, Kidwind Project, National Energy Education Development, Siemens Energy Inc., Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Tipmont REMC and WindStream Technologies Ltd.

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

Media Contacts: Stephanie Mouw, Purdue University, 765-494-9388, smouw@purdue.edu

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

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

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