Baton Rouge, Louisiana—High school students will be at the Louisiana State University’s Tiger Stadium Friday, March 31, for a competition showcasing science and technology skills related to offshore energy exploration and development.
The competition, sponsored by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and the Ocean Energy Safety Institute, will feature students from six Baton Rouge high schools steering remote-controlled cars across the stadium field, powered by energy they harness using a piezoelectric technology developed by NASA.
This is the first time for LSU to host the event, which began as a pilot project at the University of Houston in 2016. This year BSEE has expanded the competition to LSU and Taft College in California.
Piezoelectric materials generate an electric charge in response to mechanical stress, and the students will use the concept to harness energy generated by underwater sound waves to power a remote-controlled car, circling a track to achieve the greatest number of laps within a ten minute period.
The competition is part of BSEE’s efforts to promote science, technology, engineering and math education and engage the future technical workforce. The Ocean Energy Safety Institute was formed by BSEE in 2013 and includes UH, Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin.
WHAT: Offshore Science and Technology Challenge for high school students, using skills related to offshore exploration and development. Competition ends with students steering remote-controlled cars powered by energy generated by underwater sound waves.
WHO: 152 high school students from West Feliciana High School, Plaquemine High School, and Arts East, Mathematics, Science, and Arts West, Starship Academy, Scotlandville Magnet High School, Lee Magnet High School, and Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy
WHEN: March 31, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. CST
Best times for media: 9:45-11:30 a.m. CST, as students work on the project. 1:10-3:00 p.m. CST, RC car driving competition. Media check in at Top Floor Club Level, South Stadium Room.
WHERE: Tiger Stadium at Louisiana State University, Top Floor Club Level, South Stadium Room.
MEDIA CONTACT: LSU – Alison Lee Satake (225) 578-3870, asatake@lsu.edu
BSEE - Karla Marshall, 504-736-2595, m-504-400-7836, karla.marshall@bsee.gov
-- BSEE --