Transforming Our Tomorrow: A New Clean Energy Vision 2018

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As the world seeks to find the solutions that will build resiliency in the face of climate change, universities and colleges have stepped up to the plate. Innovation and creativity are pivotal in driving the technology we need to change the current unsustainable system of energy production.

Congratulations to our Competing Teams!

Philip Odonkor, UB: Making Clean Energy Smart with Artificial Intelligence

Philip, a mechanical engineering student at UB, won first place. 

Dimitri Liapitch, RIT: Ambient PV

Dimitri (MBA) from RIT took home the second place prize. 

Hamid Khakpour, UB: Novel Design for Wind Turbine Blade

Hamid, a mechanical engineering student at UB, placed third. 

Kelley Mosher, UB: Agricultural Community Vitality

Kelley (Masters of Urban Planning) from UB won this year's special social impact prize for addressing energy systems in rural areas. 

Christina Fluman and Qingri Deng, Syracuse University: The Fresh Water Crisis and Clean Energy

Christina and Qingri (architecture) came from Syracuse and share their project on fresh water and clean energy. 

2018 Information

UB Sustainability is searching for individual students or student groups from across New York State to present their passion in creating a sustainable world through clean energy.  Students that have completed a project or program should apply to present their work in a five minute speech with minimal use of graphics.   Students that have an idea for a new policy, program, or invention can pitch it to the audience. Lastly, groups of students can present their work in a PechaKucha-style using images that automatically advance for a total of two minutes. 

Prizes

In total, eight individuals or groups will be chosen to present in April. Each of the 

Each presentation will be scored by a panel of judges on from the following rubric:

  • Creativity
  • Presentation
  • Research

First place will receive $3000, second place $1500, and third place will receive $750. 

One project will be awarded a bonus prize of $200 for its consideration on the social impacts of clean energy. This could mean their project's implications for low-income communities, developing countries, gender equality, education, racial equity and more.

All students that participate will receive a professionally edited video of their presentation. 

Style One: Talk

Indvidual students that have completed research or service, or have an idea for a new policy or innovation involving clean energy have the opportunity to present it in a five minute format on stage at this clean energy symposium. They should highlight the successes and struggles of the project, and envision its potential future. 

Your talk will strive to:

  • Challenge the audience's pre-conceived notions of a particular topic
  • Present something that the audience has probably never thought about
  • Reveal something the audience has never considered about an existing topic
  • Inspire the audience to take action

If you are interested in this still of presentation, please attach a 2 minute video pitch of your talk in the application below. 

Style Two: Images

Students that have worked in groups or clubs on an initiative have a chance to present together in a PechaKucha style. Each group will choose 20 images that express their work. Each image will be shown on automatic loop for 10 seconds as the group talks about what is shown. This requires organization and conciseness.

Your presentation will strive to:

  • Challenge the audience's pre-conceived notions of a particular topic
  • Present something that the audience has probably never thought about
  • Reveal something the audience has never considered about an existing topic 
  • Inspire the audience to take action

If you are interested in this presentation style, please attach a PDF or Powerpoint with 10 images that exemplify your project to the application below. 

Timeline

Applications are due March 16th [NEW DATE!]

Presenters will be notified mid-March.

Presenters will train with a coach throughout March and April.

The Clean Energy Symposium will be April 23rd 

Expectations

I understand that if selected I will have to: 

  • Meet with a coach to develop my talk online or in person
  • Attend a table read in early April 
  • Attend the full event on April 23rd