Kootenay Contraption Contest 2013 enlists Kootenay Kids to Solve Global Energy Crisis

By Andrew Zwicker

Imagine the year is 2050. Wind and Solar have proliferated as clean, green, sources of electricity. As society has yet to teach Mother Nature to blow wind all day long, and that pesky issue of the sun only shining sometimes is fundamentally unchangeable, we need better ways of saving up the clean energy we make - so we can use it when we actually need it - which begs the question:

“By 2050, with plentiful wind and solar energy available, how will we store that energy to make it more useful?”

KAST- GLOWS (Growing, Learning Opportunities with Science) is inviting kids in Grades 2-8 from School Districts 8, 10, 20 and 51 to enter the 2013 Kootenay Contraption Contest to help us answer this question.  This annual contest encourages kids to let their minds open wide,  be as creative and innovative as possible and design a contraption that solves this future problem.  

The contraptions created don’t necessarily have to work right now, but a sketch-up and description of how it solves the problem are essential. Contraptions may be drawn, built, videotaped, digitally built or otherwise. Just show us that you’ve come up with the next brilliant energy-friendly idea, tell us the story of how it solves the problem and why it’s the best way forward.

Creative applications of technology in submissions are encouraged - and adored! 

CLICK HERE TO SEE LAST YEAR’s WINNER

The 2013 Kootenay Contraption Contest runs from Dec. 2 to Jan. 10, 2014.  Entries will compete for the overall Grand Prize of an iPad Air. In addition, the best submission in each grade will win a classroom pizza party.