Students earn special honor with outstanding solar skills at 30th annual Solar Olympics

Area students put brighter ideas, smarter designs and cleaner energy on display to earn their moment in the sun at Wisconsin Public Service’s (WPS) 30^th annual Solar Olympics. Nearly 150 students from 13 area high schools took part in the solar energy showcase Wednesday at the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Oshkosh.

Northeast and north-central Wisconsin students competed for a spot on the podium by putting their solar energy knowledge to the test in 13 separate events. Each event challenged students to use science, technology, engineering, art or math (STEAM) skills to create solar-powered devices or items inspired by solar energy.

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

Two male students smile for a photo with a large reflective and circular dish harnessing solar energy at the 30th annual WPS Solar Olympics.

A group of high school students smiles for a photo with their medals during the 30th annual WPS Solar Olympics.

A group of event judges listens to a three male high school students discuss a solar water heater project at the 30th annual WPS Solar Olympics.

Several gold, silver and bronze medals lying on a long table at the 30th annual WPS Solar Olympics.

A group of male and female high school students listens to a presentation during the 30th annual Solar Olympics.

High school students take a team photo with their projects at the 30th annual WPS Solar Olympics.

Event winners

Solar Advertising Campaign: Valders High School
Solar Art Challenge: Pembine High School
Solar Building Design: Wausau West High School
Solar Car Design: Ashwaubenon High School
Solar Car Race: Marinette High School
Solar Cooker: Marinette High School
Solar Essay: Ashwaubenon High School
Solar Jeopardy (Individual Event): Norianna Burton and Liam Grall, Valders High School (tie)
Solar Jeopardy (Team Final): Marathon High School
Solar Photography: Marinette High School
Solar Sculpture: Wausau West High School
Solar T-Shirt Design: Mishicot High School
Solar Water Heater: Mishicot High School

In the team competition, Valders High School finished in first place. Green Bay West High School, Ashwaubenon High School and Mishicot High School finished in a tie for second place. Denmark High School and Wausau West High School tied for third place.

Improving clean energy education for 30 years

WPS began its Solar Olympics in 1997 as an interactive way for local high school students to show what they had learned about solar energy. This unique education event has grown from three initial schools to become a tradition that has helped thousands of students learn about an important source of clean energy.

Supporting students and bright, sustainable future

WPS offers Solar Olympics to schools that participate in its SolarWise for Schools program. The program provides hands-on renewable energy lessons and support to high schools across northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. WPS provides the program as part of its commitment to a bright, sustainable future for the customers and communities it serves.

In addition to helping students learn about solar energy, WPS powers homes and businesses throughout the year with electricity produced by Wisconsin’s largest solar parks.

Participating schools

Ashwaubenon High School
Denmark High School
Elcho High School
Green Bay West High School
Marathon High School
Marinette High School
Menominee High School
Mishicot High School
Pembine High School
Three Lakes High School
Valders High School
Wausau West High School
West De Pere High School