Contact STEMEd@orau.org for more information.
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technology Office (SETO) is at the forefront of solar energy research, accelerating the advancement and deployment of solar technology in support of an equitable transition to a decarbonized economy. Funding from across the office supports everything from technical advancement to market preparedness to using solar energy as a tool for energy justice. Translating the funding efforts across SETO, and the potential for solar technology, is vital to the office’s mission. At this same time, an art movement called Solarpunk has organically cropped up to illustrate the possibilities of a sustainable future.
To continue SETO’s work while harnessing this movement, ORISE is hosting a research-based challenge for undergraduate students! The challenge is for students to create a Solarpunk art piece that communicates the potential of the technology the office is funding. Thorough submissions will include research on the office’s funding that will inform the piece of art created, a focus on communicating the potential of SETO’s research, and a short supporting document explaining the concept behind the piece. Your Solarpunk art piece could win you a $5,000 scholarship!