For Release: 05/11/2009

The WPS Community Foundation's Popular and Award-winning Solar Olympics Scheduled for UW-Stevens Point Campus

The 13th Annual Event Features a Record 27 Teams Competing

Green Bay, WI – Twenty-seven high school teams are set to take part in the 13th Annual Solar Olympics on Wednesday, May 13, on the campus of UW-Stevens Point. The event is free and open to the public.

The event, sponsored by WPS Community Foundation and UWSP, begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 2:30 p.m. in and around the Dreyfus University Center and Learning Resource Center. For the seventh consecutive year, a record number of schools will participate. Twelve different activities, which range from building solar devices to creating art with a solar theme, test students' knowledge of solar energy in events ranging from solar cookers and model cars to sculptures and building design. Schools attending this year include:

Participating Schools:

Antigo High School
Ashwaubenon High School
Bay Port High School
Beecher Dunbar Pembine High School
Chilton High School
Crivitz High School
D.C. Everest High School
De Pere High School
Denmark High School
Gibraltar High School
Green Bay Southwest
Green Bay West High School
Lourdes High School, Oshkosh
Marathon High School		 Marinette High School
Merrill High School
Oconto High School
Oshkosh West High School
Pacelli High School
Pulaski High School
Tomahawk High School
Valders High School
Wausau High School
Wausaukee High School
West De Pere High School
Wrightstown High School
Lena High School (Observing)

"The schools' energy and creativity really shine at Solar Olympics," said Chip Bircher, Renewable Energy Product Manager for WPS. "These high school students are really enthused about making a difference with renewable energy. Many of our customers are investigating "green" options to benefit the environment, and Solar Olympics is a great event for everyone to learn more."

To prepare for the Solar Olympics, high school teams design and construct a variety of solar-powered devices, including a cooker, water heater, and model racecar. The students will display and demonstrate their inventions at the Olympics. Also, the students will compete in a "solar jeopardy" quiz game and events for building design, marketing campaign, T-shirt design, sculpture, photography, public presentations, and an essay.

Judges for Solar Olympics come from local businesses, the UW-Stevens Point, Stevens Point businesses, and Wisconsin Public Service.

PLEASE NOTE: A complete schedule is below. The Olympics will be held rain or shine this year, thanks to the availability of an indoor location.

Solar Olympics Schedule
Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Time Activity
9:00 a.m. or earlier Students arrive at UWSP Sundial and Dreyfus University Center (DUC)
9:00 - 9:30 a.m. Set up Equipment
9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony - UWSP DUC
10:00 a.m. - 12:20 Event Judging and Campus Tour of Campus Renewable Energy and Sustainability Efforts
*The Solar model solar car race takes place from 10:35 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. on the UWSP Sundial
12:20 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:10 - 1:40 p.m. Solar Jeopardy - UWSP DUC, Laird Room
1:40 - 2:10 p.m. Clean-up
2:15 - 2:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony - UWSP DUC, Laird Room

For More Information, Contact: