Stratford Students Recognized for Sustainable Science Fair Project at 67th Annual Connecticut Science Fair

Stratford, Conn. (March 18, 2015) – Stratford student Kristen Robertson was honored as a finalist for her project, “Energy Scavenging — Proving the Seebeck Effect with a Homemade Thermoelectric Generator: A Source of Free, Sustainable, Low-Voltage Power,” and Emily Fedor was honored for her project “Using Induced Wind Force to Increase the Efficiency of an Electric Vehicle Battery” at the 67th Annual Science and Engineering Fair at Quinnipiac University that was held on Saturday, March 14, 2015.

Energize Connecticut and the eesmarts program sponsored the Special Award categories of Alternative/Renewable Energy for middle and high school students; Future Sustainability for high school students; and Sustainable Resources and Practices for middle school students.

Robertson’s project was honored in the Alternative/Renewable energy category and the Sustainable Resources and Practices category for middle school students. Robertson researched the Seebeck effect and devised an experiment to see if she could create a Peltier-powered thermoelectric generator capable of powering LED lights and an iPod charger. Fedor’s project was honored in the Sustainable Resources and Practices category. Fedor’s project simulated induced wind force against a moving vehicle to charge a NiMH battery.

On hand to present the awards to the finalists was William Dornbos, of Acadia Center and Chairperson of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board. Representatives from Eversource Energy and The United Illuminating Company served as judging chairs and coordinated approximately 40 judges from the Capitol Region Education Council, The Connecticut Green Bank, United Technologies Corporation, Eversource Energy, The United Illuminating Company, and other partner organizations.

The Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair is open to students in grades seven through 12 across the state, who compete for more than 600 spots each year. The objective of the fair is to attract young people to careers in the science and engineering industry, while also developing critical thinking skills. The fair is supported by several academic and industrial organizations throughout the state, with funds directed to the awards, operations and various educational activities.

About Energize Connecticut

Energize Connecticut helps you save money and use clean energy. It is an initiative of the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority, the State, and your local electric and gas utilities, with funding from a charge on customer energy bills. Information on energy-saving programs can be found at EnergizeCT.com or by calling 1.877.WISE.USE.