Did you know that November 8 was National STEM Day? Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, commonly known as STEM, are the essential building blocks to accomplishing the U.S. Department of Energy Water Power Technologies Office’s (WPTO’s) mission to advance hydropower and marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) technologies. In honor of this day, we are highlighting some recent WPTO-related STEM announcements. We encourage you to celebrate this day by learning more and getting involved.  

  • Marine Energy Collegiate Competition: WPTO’s 2021 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition (MECC) competitors are ready to dive into their work. Last month, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory announced the 17 teams chosen to participate in the 2021 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition: Powering the Blue Economy™. Learn more about the teams as they take their place at the starting line.
  • ORISE Fellowship Program Opens for New Applicants: In September, WPTO opened up the application period for the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) WPTO-MHK Graduate Student Research Program. Participants will conduct MHK research at both their academic institutions and at an external hosting facility. The application period is open until December 4, 2020; submit your application today.
  • New STEM Hubs for Hydropower and Marine Energy Provide Resources for the Future Water Power Workforce: This summer, WPTO and NREL, partnering with the Hydropower Foundation, released new STEM workforce development and education portals for marine energy and hydropower. By aggregating resources in these new portals, WPTO aims to provide students and educators with opportunities to learn about water power technologies and their potential—introducing tomorrow’s workforce to exciting educational and career pathways.

Through these STEM activities, we hope to provide our future workforce with the tools and opportunities to ensure hydropower and marine energy technologies can help serve U.S. energy needs well into the future. To learn more about what DOE at large is doing to support STEM, visit the STEM Rising website.