U of M hosts 150 middle school students to learn about renewable energy

Launching water-powered rockets, making biodiesel from soy oil and building electric motors—these were just three of the many activities that will 150 Minnesota middle schoolers participated in to learn about renewable energy during a visit to the University of Minnesota on Thursday, Oct. 18. The students, ages 9 to 14, visited campus to begin preparing for “Power Puzzle,” the 2007 FIRST LEGO League competition.

Sponsored by the local, nonprofit group Innovations in Science and Technology Education (INSciTE), this year’s competition will challenge students to build small robots using LEGO technology, including elements such as sensors, motors and gears, to demonstrate energy management and conservation.

To help students begin their research, students participated in fun, hands-on activities with U of M faculty who are recognized as international experts in renewable energy. The schedule included eight sessions on topics such as solar power, wind energy, biofuels, fluid power and much more.

Over the next few weeks, students will build their robots and begin competing in regional competitions in November. Currently in its 10th year, the LEGO League anticipates its biggest season ever with more than 10,000 teams in 38 countries competing in hundreds of qualifying tournaments. The University of Minnesota will host an international LEGO League competition in early May, in which students from around the world will compete. Several Minnesota teams have been paired with student teams from Mexico and will work together throughout the season. The teams’ collaborative efforts will culminate in May at the international event.

“The University of Minnesota is recognized as a leader in renewable energy, and we are excited to share this knowledge with these young students,” said Steven L. Crouch, dean of the Institute of Technology, the University’s college of engineering, physical sciences and mathematics. “We hope these events will inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers to help us develop new forms of environment-friendly, renewable energy that will meet our planet’s growing energy needs.”

LEGO League teams who participated in this event at the U of M were from Eden Prairie, Edina, Elk River, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Minneapolis, Mounds View, New Hope, Plymouth, Prior Lake, Robbinsdale, St. Paul, St. Peter, Wayzata, White Bear Lake and Woodbury.

See the full schedule of sessions the students attended.