Students Imagine Ways To Engineer Energy For The Future

WASHINGTON -- The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) announced today the winners of a national essay contest about how engineers might meet changing energy needs without harming the environment. More than 200 students in grades three through 12 submitted original essays to the NAE Web site EngineerGirl! (http://www.engineergirl.org). The student proposals included renewable sources such as wind, water, and sunlight and more efficient energy generation methods.



“The annual EngineerGirl! essay contest is an important part of the Academy’s efforts to increase knowledge and interest in engineering among young people, some of whom will become the engineers of the next generation,” said NAE President Charles M. Vest. “I congratulate all of the contestants for tackling the complex issues related to energy and the environment. I hope that these young thinkers and doers will continue to explore how engineering can help meet these and other significant challenges and how they can be a part of that process.”



Jennifer Shulman, a fourth-grader at Banyan Creek Elementary in Boca Raton, Fla., won first place among entries from third- through fifth-grade students for her essay calling for “greener” methods of energy production and for more energy-efficient technologies. Nupur Garg, an eighth-grader at Kennedy Middle School in Cupertino, Calif., won first place among entries from sixth- through eighth-grade students for an essay highlighting how renewable and efficient energy technologies are already making a difference around the world. Angela Rae Woods, in 10th grade at Carroll County High School in Carrollton, Ky., won first place among entries from ninth- through 12th-grade students for her essay about developing new solar energy technologies and applications. Prizes ranged from $500 for first place to certificates for honorable mention.



Among contestants in grades three to five, Alexandra Kung, in fifth grade at Seven Bridges Middle School in Chappaqua, N.Y., won second place; Tori Meredith Deibler, in fourth grade at Christiansburg Elementary School in Christiansburg, Va., won third place; and Jacqueline Feffer, who is home-schooled in Boalsburg, Pa., received honorable mention.



Among contestants in grades six to eight, Ashley Thomas, in eighth grade at Columbia Junior High School in Auburn, Wash., won second place; Sarah Booth, in sixth grade at Parker Middle School in Chelmsford, Mass., won third place; and Danielle Feffer, who is home-schooled in Boalsburg, Pa., received honorable mention.



Among contestants in grades nine to 12, Jennifer Chen Li, in 10th grade at William G. Enloe High School in Apex, N.C., won second place; and Devon Frazier, in 12th grade at Tualatin High School in Tualatin, Ore., won third place.






EngineerGirl! is designed for middle school girls and offers information about various engineering fields and careers, as well as games, books, and other resources on engineering. EngineerGirl! and Engineer Your Life (http://www.engineeryourlife.org), a Web site for academically prepared high school girls, are part of NAE’s ongoing efforts to increase the diversity of the engineering work force.