The fourth annual Powering the Community (PTC): High School AI Design Contest, sponsored by Duke Energy, concluded on November 20 with a Design Showcase at the University of Florida. The six-and-a-half-week contest, which began on October 4, brought together 70 high school students from Alachua, Marion, and Sumter counties to tackle real-world energy challenges.
Participants were tasked with designing a smart power grid system tailored to their local communities using artificial intelligence tools and engineering principles. Over the span of the competition, the student teams developed work plans, mapped the power users in their communities, analyzed user energy consumption, developed strategic redistribution cycles for power restoration for outage scenarios, designed microgrid systems to best align power users and their restoration plans, and ultimately presented formal proposals.
One of the more unique aspects of this event was that the high school teams were paired with UF engineering undergraduate students to mentor and support them throughout the contest, meeting weekly for questions and feedback on their progress.
“Through this contest, students gained valuable insights into energy systems, artificial intelligence, and teamwork,” said Nancy Ruzycki, Ph.D., the program’s principal investigator. “Their designs highlight the creativity and problem-solving skills needed to address the critical energy challenges of the future.”
In his keynote address to kick off the event, Jonathan Scheffe, Ph.D., associate professor in UF’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, introduced the students to renewable energy concepts and his solar energy conversion and storage research.
A total of 20 teams from six high schools participated, with nine of those teams advancing to the UF Design Showcase to present their power grid systems and restoration plans to a panel of judges from Duke Energy.
Design Showcase Winners
First Place: Brilliant Academic Learning Dominators from Belleview High School (Teacher: Dale Toney)
Duke Energy representatives Ted King, Shari Oliverson, and Mikle Gordon, with student team members Serena Coulton, Justin Moreno, Isaac Hilderbrand, and Lily Congleton
Second Place: Generac Brainiacs from Belleview High School (Teacher: Dale Toney)
Duke Energy representatives Ted King, Shari Oliverson, and Mikle Gordon, with student team members Nicholas Rivera, Douglas VanDeursen, and Christopher Rivera
Third Place: Circuit Weavers from P.K. Yonge Development Research School (Teacher: Damien Boada)
Duke Energy representatives Ted King, Shari Oliverson, and Mikle Gordon, with student team members Rowan Foley, Farris McClure El Neil, and Sophie Slimak
Participating Schools and Districts:
- Belleview High School (Marion County) – 28 students, 8 teams
- P.K. Yonge Development Research School (Alachua County) – 16 students, 5 teams
- West Port High School (Marion County) – 12 students, 3 teams
- Wildwood Middle High School (Sumter County) – 3 students, 1 team
- South Sumter High School (Sumter County) – 3 students, 1 team
- Forest High School (Marion County) – 8 students, 2 teams
This innovative competition continues to inspire students to explore careers in STEM while addressing energy challenges through creativity and technology. Additionally, PTC will host a similar contest for middle school students in spring 2025. North Central Florida teachers who may be interested should contact the PTC team at equipd@mse.ufl.edu for more information or visit their website.
Congratulations again, and well done to all participants!