Center for Science Teaching and Learning announced 2018 Clean Tech Competition

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The Center for Science Teaching and Learning announced the official launch of the 2018 Spellman High Voltage Electronics Clean Tech Competition, a worldwide research and design challenge for pre-college youth that encourages scientific understanding of real world issues and the integration of environmentally responsible energy use. The competition seeks to foster a deeper understanding of science, technology, engineering and math, also known as STEM, to recognize talent and prepare the next generation of global innovators. The application deadline for the competition is March 30.
Each year, the Clean Tech Competition addresses an issue that is grounded in core technological competency areas and focuses on a current engineering challenge. This year’s theme is “Solving Climate Change.” Teams are challenged to identify and analyze specific problems associated with climate change before designing a clean technology solution to lessen the negative impacts, help reduce the carbon footprint and create a solution for overcoming the challenge that they have identified.
CSTL, a nonprofit organization that encourages science learning and literacy, is accepting free applications from high schools representing teams of one to three students between ages 15 and 18 from the United States and abroad. This year’s final competition will take place at Stony Brook University on July 12.
“As leaders in STEM, this important and engaging competition promotes and inspires students from around the globe,” said CSTL Director Dr. Ray Ann Havasy. “The competition is critical today especially as we see from studies that level of interest in STEM in the United States is very low compared to that of other nations. With the strong support of our major sponsor, Spellman High Voltage Electronics, this competition provides an important forum for high school students to show their skills, talents and creativity as they address the important worldwide issues of climate change, clean energy problems and sustainability. Each year, we are amazed at the innovations and creative solutions our student competitors offer and display for judges.”
Monetary prizes will be awarded to 10 finalists, with $10,000 going to the winner, $7,000 to second place and $5,000 to third. The winning team will also continue its relationship with a professional serving as a mentor who will advise and assist the first-place team in furthering its work.

“The students we met during last year’s competition showed us that there are many talented and smart young people from around the world who are committed to taking on significant environmental challenges,” said Dr. Loren Skeist, president of Spellman High Voltage Electronics. “Upon observing this dedication, we immediately knew we wanted to extend our sponsorship of CSTL’s Clean Tech Competition for 2018 and through 2020. It is important for us to strongly support the next generation of STEM leaders and play an instrumental role in generating the international attention the Competition deserves. CSTL’s Clean Tech Competition reflects Spellman High Voltage’s commitment to clean technology and sustainability.”
Since its establishment in 2012, The CSTL Competition themes have included “Creating a Greener Future,” “Solar Solutions,” “Clean Water for All,” “Pollution Solutions,” “Feed the World” and “Making an Impact.”
For more information about CSTL or the 2018 Spellman High Voltage Electronics Clean Tech Competition, go to www.cleantechcompetition.org, or call (516) 764-0045.

–Nakeem Grant