Dow Corning will sponsor the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 taking place Sept. 23 - Oct. 2 in Washington, D.C.
The Solar Decathlon is a program that challenges 20 collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.
Dow’s sponsorship includes overseeing the creation of educational resources that will help strengthen middle school students' understanding of solar energy and sustainability and the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
The materials include a school curriculum for teachers designed to introduce students in grades 5-8 to the principles and potential of renewable energy technologies by showcasing solar-power applications and energy-efficiency solutions at the Solar Decathlon.
Resources also include a student welcome and education center on the decathlon grounds where students, teachers and parents can access educational materials about solar energy and engage in a series of interactive, hands-on and video-based educational opportunities.
Dow will also sponsor a student-oriented Solar Decathlon program available to students visiting the Solar Village in person and virtually via the Solar Decathlon website.
The Solar Decathlon was previously held in 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2009. Dow Corning sponsored an electronic scoreboard that provided daily results to event spectators at the National Mall in 2009.
For more information, visit http://www.dowcorning.com.