Girls lead the charge with Constellation grant

Joliet Junior College was recently awarded one of the Constellation E2 Energy to Educate Grants. Constellation is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation, the nation's leading competitive energy provider.
JJC's project “Girls Leading the Charge” will provide 250 middle-school female students in its district with a unique opportunity to learn about energy, specifically solar powered cars by becoming a design engineer.
Through the use of commercially available instruction kits, students will work in teams to design their solar-powered cars, learn about solar/photovoltaic (PV) cells, troubleshoot, and prepare to test their car's functionality. This solar-powered car program will provide a valuable STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) hands-on learning experience.
As part of the learning process, the girls will be able to experiment with gear drive and pulley drive systems to determine which produces the fastest solar car. In addition, they will test different solar cell positions to determine which is most effective. Even though the girls will be learning through the use of a kit, it will provide flexibility and creativity for them to build and test their own design.
As an end project, the girls will be able to share their experience with the design process, and ultimately race their cars to determine the most successful design.  One of our students, Taylor Sitar-Coal City Middle School, shared “I learned how to make a pulley and gear motor work.  Also, I learned how solar panels work, and finally, I learned how to use many different tools.  This class was a lot of fun.”
JJC's Dean of Applied Arts, Workforce Education and Training, Amy Murphy said, “Renewable energy plays a major role in our future world and educating students about solar energy at a young age is very important.” She added, “This grant will provide us with an exciting opportunity to educate middle-school students, particularly females, about this innovative technology while also emphasizing the importance of math and science skills.”
According to a company news release, every year, Constellation, an Exelon Company, accepts proposals for its E2 Energy to Educate grant program.
In November 2017, Constellation awarded $410,000 for E2 Energy to Educate Grants projects focusing on energy science, technology and education, as part of Constellation's and parent company Exelon's commitment to giving back to the communities where they work and live, and driving greater interest in STEM programs.
The 18 projects that were awarded grants in eleven different states will reach more than 27,000 students, in grade six through college.  Joliet Junior College was the only grant awarded in the State of Illinois.
"Energy innovation and creativity are essential to what we do every day," said Joe Nigro, CEO, Constellation in a press release. "It's a privilege to support and celebrate this year's grant recipients for exhibiting their own innovation and creativity. That level of passion - in areas such as science, math, and technology - will foster the energy leaders of tomorrow."
For more information about JJC's “Girls Leading the Charge” program and upcoming dates, email blarge@jjc.edu, call (815) 280-1504 or visit www.jjc.edu/LLC.