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For Release: 05/10/2010

The WPS Community Foundation's Popular and Award-Winning Solar Olympics Scheduled for UW-Oshkosh Campus

The 14th Annual Event Features 25 Teams

Green Bay, WI – Twenty-five high school teams are set to take part in the 14th Annual Solar Olympics on Tuesday, May 11, on the campus of UW Oshkosh. The event is free and open to the public.

The event, sponsored by WPS Community Foundation and UW Oshkosh, the event begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 2:30 p.m. in and around the Reeve Union. 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
Beecher Dunbar Pembine High School
Chilton High School
Crivitz High School
D.C. Everest High School
De Pere High School
Denmark High School
Elcho High School
Gibraltar High School
Green Bay Southwest High School
Green Bay West High School
Lena High School		 Lourdes High School
Marinette High School
Merrill High School
Notre Dame Academy
Oshkosh West High School
Pacelli High School
Valders High School
Wabeno High School
Wausau East High School
Wausau West High School
Wausaukee High School
Wrightstown High School

"The schools' energy and creativity really shine at Solar Olympics," said Chip Bircher, Renewable Energy Product Manager for Public Service. "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-Oshkosh, Oshkosh businesses, and Wisconsin Public Service.

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

Solar Olympics Schedule
Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Time Activity
9:00 a.m. or earlier Students arrive at UW Oshkosh Reeve Union
9:00 - 9:30 a.m. Set up Equipment
9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony – Reeve Union Ballroom
10:00 a.m. - 12:20 Event Judging
*The Solar model solar car race takes place from 10:35 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. on the Albee Pool Patio
12:20 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:10 - 1:40 p.m. Solar Jeopardy - Reeve Union Ballroom
1:40 - 2:10 p.m. Clean-up
2:15 - 2:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony - Reeve Union Ballroom

For More Information, Contact: