Media Contact
CONTACT:Lauren Vizza
l.vizza@vachamber.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16 ,2020
PRESS RELEASE: Virginia Chamber Foundation Partners with Virginia Energy Workforce Consortium to launch “Get Into Energy” Innovation Challenge!
Virginia’s Get Into Energy Innovation Challenge brings together students from across the Commonwealth with industry partners from energy and technology fields to tackle sustainability-related energy challenge.
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – The Virginia Chamber of Commerce and The Virginia Energy Workforce Consortium are bringing together high school students from across the Commonwealth with industry partners from energy and technology fields for the official launch of the 2020 “Get Into Energy,” Innovation Challenge. The January 16th Kick-Off event will feature an industry overview and introduction to the challenge led by partners Dominion Energy, Colombia Gas, and Strata Solar. Students will then explore exhibits set up by leading energy and technology businesses in the Commonwealth.
Over the next few weeks, students will meet with their industry partner mentors and begin to develop their approach and presentation to address the “Challenge” in preparation for the Shark Tank style competition in March. The Virginia Chamber Foundation will serve as the main point of contact and can provide updated photos as the students and mentors are working together.
Mark your calendar, the official competition will be held March 16th 2020 at the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond. Students will work in teams to present their “solution” to the project to a group of industry experts serving as judges. The winning team will receive a grand prize of $1000 cash to be donated to their school. Check out this video from Dominion Energy highlighting the 2019 Get into Energy Innovation Challenge.
The Challenge: Across Virginia, there have been significant advancements made in the energy industry, to include increasing energy education pathways, workforce training, and career awareness. Despite the progress being made, energy inequalities and inefficiencies still exist in many of our communities and schools. In order to continue in the right direction, it is important to include the perspective, voice and creativity of our Virginia students. Considering existing energy inequalities and inefficiencies in your community or school, develop an innovative plan or product leveraging technologies to improve these challenges.
Shark Tank Competition
Where: Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond VA
When: March 16, 2020
2020 Participating High Schools
- Grassfield Governors STEM Academy, Chesapeake, VA
- Cumberland HS, Cumberland, VA
- New Horizons Regional Education Center, Hampton, VA
- Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, South Boston, VA
- Advanced Career Education Center, Highland Springs VA
- ACE Center at Hermitage, Henrico, VA
- The Academy at Virginia Randolph, Glen Allen, VA
- Richmond Technical Center, Richmond VA
- Louisa County High School, Mineral VA
- Bridging Communities Regional Technical Center, New Kent VA
- Dinwiddie High School – Dinwiddie VA
- Surry High School – Dendron VA
- The Governors School at Innovation Park – Prince William County, VA
- TC Williams High School – Alexandria, VA
2020 Industry Partners
InfraSource
Virginia Natural Gas
STRATA Solar
Washington Gas
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative
Southside Electric Cooperative
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About the Virginia Chamber Foundation:
The Virginia Chamber Foundation tracks Virginia’s economic competitiveness, conducts research and analysis, and hosts programs – connected to the priorities of Blueprint Virginia 2025. In December 2017, the Chamber released an update to its long-term strategic economic development plan, Blueprint Virginia 2025, which engaged over 6,000 business and community leaders to lay out a plan to getting Virginia back to the top of national business climate rankings. Learn more at www.vachamber.com/foundation
