FREEDM Precollege Programs: Inspiring Generation Y to Pursue Careers in the Electric Power Industry

An aging workforce and rapid growth in STEM-related occupations provide critical reasons to involve precollege students and teachers in science and engineering activities. Additionally, concerns about climate change and green energy sources provide motivation for students to pursue careers in the electric power industry. NSF-supported FREEDM ERC precollege programs address these issues through three components, which are described in this paper: 1) a Research Experience for Teachers; 2) a Young Scholars commuter program for high school students; and 3) weeklong renewable energy camps for middle school students. Assessment results for the first four years of the effort at four university campuses are presented.