Area students showcase outstanding solar skills at 28th annual Solar Olympics

An impressive display of solar energy smarts and skills helped high school students stand tall on the podium at Wisconsin Public Service’s (WPS) 28^th annual Solar Olympics. Approximately 150 students from 12 high schools across northeast and north central Wisconsin took part in the competition on May 8 at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Students put their solar energy knowledge to the test in hopes of earning faster times, reaching higher scores and creating stronger designs in one of 12 events. Each event challenged students to use their science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) skills to create devices powered by the sun or items inspired by solar energy.

In true Olympic tradition, the top three finishers in each event received gold, silver and bronze medals.

Event winners

Solar Advertising Campaign: Valders High School
Solar Art Challenge: Northland Lutheran High School
Solar Building Design: Pembine High School
Solar Car Design: Valders High School
Solar Car Race: Marinette High School
Solar Cooker: Three Lakes High School
Solar Essay: Valders High School
Solar Jeopardy (individual winner): Cal Heiden, Wausau West High School
Solar Jeopardy (team winner): St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
Solar Photography: Mishicot High School
Solar Sculpture: Pembine High School
Solar T-Shirt Design: Chilton High School
Solar Water Heater: Northland Lutheran High School

In the team competition, Valders High School took top honors, Pembine High School and Wausau West High School finished in a tie for second place, and Marinette High School finished in third place.

A high school boy waits to catch a solar race car moving down a white racetrack in front of a small group of people.

A group of high school students takes a photo behind a solar-powered cooker on a sunny day.

Three high school boys smile for a photo with a solar race car on a sunny day.

A high school boy speaks about a solar-inspired sculpture at Solar Olympics.

A group of high school girls discusses a solar-powered water heater during a sunny day at the Solar Olympics.

A group of high school students smiles for a group photo while holding up medals from Solar Olympics.

Solar Olympics supports student learning

Solar Olympics gives high school students a fun, hands-on opportunity to demonstrate their solar knowledge. This unique education event has grown from three participating schools in 1997 to a tradition that’s helped thousands of students learn more about an important source of clean energy.

WPS offers Solar Olympics to schools that participate in its SolarWise for Schools program. The program’s lessons and interactive projects help students learn about solar power and renewable energy. WPS also has helped 56 high schools install solar energy systems through the SolarWise for Schools program.

Committed to a cleaner future

WPS offers Solar Olympics and its SolarWise for Schools program as part of its commitment to a bright, sustainable future for the customers and communities it serves. The company delivers solar energy throughout the year from Wisconsin’s first large-scale solar parks. WPS also is increasing the solar energy it provides to its customers by acquiring portions of additional solar parks in development in Wisconsin.

Participating teams

Ashwaubenon High School
Chilton High School
Marathon High School
Marinette High School
Mishicot High School
Northland Lutheran High School
Pembine High School
St. Thomas Aquinas Academy (Marinette)
Three Lakes High School
Valders High School
Wausau West High School
Wabeno High School