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1 Houston: Energy City of the Future 2050 Coordinated by HCDE s Center for Afterschool, Summer and Expanded Learning (CASE for Kids) division Dear Houston Area Student, Congratulations! You have been selected to help Houston plan one of the most important parts of its future: the way it will use energy. It will be up to you and other members of your four-person team to come up with a plan for how Houston will use energy in the year We want Houston to retain its title of Energy Capital of the World, so you will have to make sure that your plan helps Houston s economy, environment, and people. To accomplish your mission you will need to do some research. You should start by getting to know Houston and its people. You will need to focus your research on some of Houston s most important industries and the way they use energy. To help with your research, we will give you the chance to tour some of Houston s most important destinations and to meet with professionals from some of Houston s most important businesses. Once you have learned about Houston, you will need to research possible ways that Houston could use energy in the future. For the competition, all project plans must address the additional topic of drinking water sources. As you investigate new and innovative ways to use fossil fuel and alternative energy sources, you will get the chance to visit the University of Houston at the culminating event to see how people are preparing to work in the energy industry. You will also get to work with engineers, urban planners and architects to come up with great designs for the city. After your team has completed your research, you should work together to turn your knowledge into a plan for Houston s energy use in As you create your plan, you will want to think about how your design will help Houston become more energy efficient, more environmentally sound, more user friendly, and more economically profitable. The best plans will help Houston become all of these things. They will also be both creative and technologically feasible. We want to know if your ideas could truly work in the real world. When you have crafted your plan for Houston s future, you will need to create some items to show others what you would like to see in the city s future. You will make a seven-minute PowerPoint presentation explaining your plan, a public service announcement (like a commercial) to sell Houston as the Energy Capital of the World, and a scale model showing how Houston would look if your plan was implemented. Each of your creations will be judged and will count toward your final score. At the final competition, the team with the highest overall scores in the middle and the high school competitions will be awarded prizes! Winning teams receive scholarships provided by Consumer Energy Alliance! Winners will receive their check at the annual Energy Day Festival in October 2015 in downtown Houston ( ). Before you get started, make sure you read all the information to get details on the project guidelines and specifics of each item you will need to create. Make sure to carefully read all of the Program Rules so that you know just what will be expected of you and just how you will be judged. Also review the Houston Resources and the Energy Resources on the Energy City of the Future website at These items will help you as you work through the research, design, and creation process. Feel free to contact us with questions at: casekidsday@hcde-texas.org or This project is made possible by contributions from: Sequent Energy Management, Williams, Education Foundation of Harris County and Consumer Energy Alliance. Good luck with your project! We look forward to seeing what you design for the future of our city! Best wishes, The CASE for Kids Energy City of the Future Team

2 GENERAL PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS In order to participate in the Houston: Energy City of the Future 2050 competition, a team must: Register with CASE for Kids (Center for Afterschool, Summer and Expanded Learning) at the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) by the designated registration deadline. Visit the competition website at to register, download project guidelines, and receive updates on competition information. Organize a team of four (4) students who are currently enrolled in the 6 th through 12 th grade at a school in the greater Houston area. Register for either the middle school or the high school competition. Teams participating in the middle school competition must be made up entirely of students in grades 6-8. Teams participating in the high school competition must be made up entirely of students in grades Agree to work on the Energy City of the Future project outside of the regular school day. Work with an adult sponsor designated by the team s school and district policies as eligible for working with students on this project. A single individual may sponsor multiple teams. Agree to abide by all rules and regulations of the Energy City of the Future competition. For the competition, all project plans must address the additional topic of drinking water sources. Agree to meet all deadlines established by competition personnel and/or to notify competition personnel prior to deadlines if unable to complete relevant tasks by the established date. Openly and cooperatively communicate with Energy City of the Future competition team members about project status. Agree to allow designated community representatives and competition team members to visit the team s school and/or to check on the team s progress electronically. Have the technological capacity to create a PowerPoint presentation, to download files and forms from the Internet, and to send and receive (including attachments) in PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, and Adobe Acrobat. Agree to purchase and/or otherwise procure the rules-compliant supplies needed to create the team s scale model of Houston in the year Agree to send at least three (3) team members and at least one (1) chaperone to the Energy City of the Future finals on Saturday, February 21, Violation of the above and/or other participation requirements set forth by the Energy City of the Future team may result in point deductions and/or elimination from the Energy City of the Future competition. Energy City of the Future 2050: Project Rules and Guidelines for the School Year 2

3 COMPETITION COMPONENTS Each Energy City of the Future competition team is expected to create three components to display at the Energy City of the Future competition finals in February Those three components are: (1) a seven-minute PowerPoint presentation; (2) a one-minute public service announcement; and (3) a scale model of Houston in the year Each piece has its own deadline and requirements. Read the following component descriptions for further explanation. It would be nearly impossible to plan all of Houston s future energy use in a few short weeks. Therefore, Energy City of the Future teams should focus their efforts on uses of energy in three of five of the city s significant industries: (1) education; (2) energy; (3) medicine/healthcare; (4) transportation; (5) tourism. Each team s plan and all competition components - should address how each of these Houston industries will use energy in the year For the competition, all project plans must address the additional topic of drinking water sources. 1. PowerPoint Presentation (7 Minute Maximum) 25% of Total Score DUE: NO LATER THAN 4:00 P.M. ON FEBRUARY 13, 2015 The PowerPoint component provides your team with a chance to tell judges and members of the community what Houston would look like were your plan for the city s energy use in the year 2050 actually implemented. This component also provides your team with a chance to convince the community that your plan is innovative and feasible. Keep in mind that competition judges will be looking for the actual science your plan is demonstrating. Your plan must include a balance of three energy sources with one source being either oil or gas. Further, the information in the PowerPoint should explain how three of the five focus industries are linked/connected. Your PowerPoint should be persuasive in tone and conform to the following guidelines: Focus Your PowerPoint presentation should present your plan for Houston to maintain its status as the Energy Capital of the World in Your plan should address supply and demand needs in the future, and be creative in your proposed solutions. Your plan should focus on the energy uses of three of five select focus industries in Houston: education, energy, medicine, transportation, and tourism. Components Your PowerPoint should provide answers to each of the following questions: Slide 1: Supply The Energy Market: Describe Houston s commercially viable energy supplies that will be available in (Oil, gas, coal, electrical power, nuclear, wind, solar, hydro, geothermal) Slide 2: Demand Describe how changes in the demand for energy sources have evolved in the 2050 market. Slide 3-9: Your Plan What is your proposed recommendation(s) for Houston to improve energy diversity and/or use by 2050? The future market will still rely on oil and gas as a source of energy. Your plan must Energy City of the Future 2050: Project Rules and Guidelines for the School Year 3

4 include oil or gas and at least two (2) other forms of alternative energy. Please explain the following as part of your plan. A. What technological advancements will be needed? B. How will your plan be phased in over time? C. What will your plan cost? D. What are some of the challenges of implementing your plan? Slide 10 and 11: Houston Industries How will Houston industries benefit from your plan? Choose three of the five industries: (1) education; (2) energy; (3) medicine/healthcare; (4) transportation; (5) tourism. What type of employees and training would be required for Houston s future workforce? Potential Questions from the Judges Be prepared to answer the following questions from the judges on competition day: How will your plan make Houston more energy efficient and environmentally sound? How will your plan make Houston more economically profitable/grow the job market? Does your plan draw a connection between the five focus industries in Houston? How exactly? Who will be responsible for implementing your plan? Are there any potential roadblocks or risks associated with implementing your plan? Who will pay for your plan? How long will it take to implement your plan? Why is your plan the best plan for Houston s energy use in the year 2050? What surprised you the most in conducting your research for the plan? What is your favorite part of your plan? Presentation Requirements Your team will present its PowerPoint at the Energy City of the Future finals competition. Adhere to the following guidelines when making your presentation: Your PowerPoint should be no more than seven (7) minutes in length. Points will be deducted from those presentations that grossly exceed and/or grossly fall short of the seven-minute limit. At least two (2) members of your team must speak during your PowerPoint presentation. All members of your team who are present at the Energy City of the Future finals must participate in a three-minute question and answer session with judges immediately following your PowerPoint presentation. Energy City of the Future 2050: Project Rules and Guidelines for the School Year 4

5 Submission Requirements Please adhere to the following guidelines when submitting your PowerPoint for evaluation: Your PowerPoint must be submitted electronically to the CASE for Kids Coordinator at The to which your PowerPoint is attached must clearly identify your school & team in the title. Your PowerPoint itself may not identify your school and/or school district. Energy City of the Future 2050: Project Rules and Guidelines for the School Year 5

6 2. Public Service Announcement (1 Minute Maximum) 20% of Total Score DUE: NO LATER THAN 4:00 P.M. ON FEBRUARY 6, 2015 The Public Service Announcement (PSA) component provides your team with a chance to convince potential visitors, as well as members of the community, that Houston is a wonderful place to visit/live as result of your plan for Houston s energy use in the year Think of this component as a tourism commercial that would air on television to highlight reasons for visiting the city of Houston, also known as the Energy Capital of the World. Your PSA should conform to the following guidelines: Presentation Requirements Your team will present its PSA at the Energy City of the Future finals competition. Adhere to the following guidelines when making your PSA: Your PSA should be no more than one (1) minute in length. Points will be deducted from those presentations that grossly exceed and/or grossly fall short of the one-minute limit. Your PSA should be electronically recorded and capable of being viewed on a computer with PowerPoint capabilities. Reference the annual Energy Day Festival in your PSA. To learn more about the festival, visit Submission Requirements Please adhere to the following guidelines when submitting your PowerPoint for evaluation: Your PSA must be submitted electronically to the CASE for Kids Coordinator at casekidsday@hcde-texas.org. The to which your PSA is attached must clearly identify your school & team in the title. Your PSA itself may not identify your school and/or school district. NOTE: All Energy City of the Future PSAs will be uploaded to the CASE for Kids websites, and and/or posted on the HCDE YouTube channel, Please be sure all participants featured in the PSA video have signed the appropriate media releases. Energy City of the Future 2050: Project Rules and Guidelines for the School Year 6

7 3. Scale Model of Houston in the Year % of Total Score DUE: UPON ARRIVAL AT THE ENERGY CITY OF THE FUTURE FINALS The scale model component gives your team an opportunity to show the community what Houston would look like if your plan for the city s energy use in the year 2050 were to be implemented. Your scale model should conform to the following guidelines: Focus Your scale model should focus on the energy uses of three of the five select focus industries in Houston: education, energy, medicine/healthcare, transportation, and tourism. You must use oil or gas and at least two (2) other forms of alternative energy in your scale model. You are not required to represent these industries or forms of energy in the way they are currently in operation. However, keep in mind that competition judges will be looking for the actual science your plan is demonstrating. Creativity is encouraged!!! Construction Requirements Your team will showcase its scale model at the Energy City of the Future finals competition. Adhere to the following guidelines when constructing your scale model: Your model may not be larger than 70 (length) by 22 (width) by 30 (height). Your model may include moving parts, but no electricity will be provided at the finals. Your model may be built of any materials EXCEPT: o Open liquids (including water) o Dangerous chemicals (e.g. carcinogenic, mutagenic, or highly corrosive chemicals, narcotics or addictive drugs, alcohol, tobacco, flammable, explosive, or highly toxic chemicals, radioactive materials, and gases under high pressure) o Dangerous equipment (e.g. equipment requiring 200V or greater, welding equipment, equipment producing unshielded ionized radiation, equipment which produces or utilizes x-rays or nuclear energy or high temperatures, firearms, and other equipment normally considered dangerous to operate). o Controlled substances, including DEA-classed substances, prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco o Living or preserved organisms (including their parts) o Microbial cultures (bacterial or viral) or fungi (live or dead) o Human or animal food o Sharp items (e.g. syringes, needles, pins) o Dry ice or other sublimating solids o Batteries with open top cells o Class III or IV lasers (Class II lasers must have a sign stating: Laser Radiation: do not stare into beam, have protective housing that prevents access to beam, and be disconnected when not operating) o Unshielded belts, pulleys, chains, or moving parts with tension or pinch points Energy City of the Future 2050: Project Rules and Guidelines for the School Year 7

8 o o Devices which emit loud noises Devices which require more than 125V You may not spend more than $50.00 on materials to create your scale model. Students are encouraged to use recycled, recyclable, and/or refurbished materials. You will not be reimbursed. Submission Requirements Please adhere to the following guidelines when submitting your scale model for evaluation: Your scale model must be turned in upon arrival at the Energy City of the Future finals. Your completed Materials Used Form and accompanying documentation must also be turned in upon arrival at the Energy City of the Future finals. Your scale model may not identify your school and/or school district. Energy City of the Future 2050: Project Rules and Guidelines for the School Year 8

9 4. Energy Careers Outline 5% of Total Score DUE: NO LATER THAN 4:00 P.M. ON JANUARY 30, 2015 The Energy Careers Outline is designed to provide your team with a chance to gain knowledge to assist you in the creation of your project by brainstorming how Houston will use energy in the year These points will be added to your total score at the final competition and may impact your overall rank. To earn these points, fully and accurately complete the Energy Careers Outline form. Submission Requirements Please adhere to the following guidelines when submitting your Energy Careers Outline for evaluation: Download the Energy Careers Outline form from the Energy City of the Future project website: Your Energy Careers Outline form must be submitted electronically to the CASE for Kids Coordinator at casekidsday@hcde-texas.org. The to which your Energy Careers Outline form is attached must clearly identify your school & team in the title. 5. Reference List 5% of Total Score DUE: NO LATER THAN 4:00 P.M. ON JANUARY 30, 2015 The Energy City Reference List is designed to provide the judges with the core resources you found/accessed during the research phase of developing your project plan. We assume you will visit websites, read magazine articles, view YouTube videos, etc. to gain knowledge on the energy industry and the City of Houston. You are welcome to use the resources provided on the project website, These points will be added to your total score at the final competition and may impact your overall rank. To earn these points, create a Reference List of all the resources you used to create your entire Energy City of the Future plan (including the PowerPoint, PSA, and scale model). Submission Requirements Please adhere to the following guidelines when submitting your Reference List for evaluation: Use the basic rules of APA Style ( ) to create your list. Create the document in Microsoft Word. Your Reference List form must be submitted electronically to the CASE for Kids Coordinator at casekidsday@hcde-texas.org. The to which your Reference List form is attached must clearly identify your school & team in the title. Energy City of the Future 2050: Project Rules and Guidelines for the School Year 9

10 FINAL COMPETITION GUIDELINES & REGULATIONS* Final Competition Guidelines The Energy City of the Future 2050 finals competition will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the University of Houston. Forms required for participation in the finals competition will be available on the project website: Teams will show their PowerPoint presentations and Public Service Announcements in an order determined by CASE for Kids. Each team will have seven (7) minutes in which to make its PowerPoint presentation. Following each presentation, judges will have three (3) minutes in which to question the presenting team about its project. Each team will have one (1) minute in which to show its Public Service Announcement. Computer access for PowerPoint/Public Service Announcement viewing will be provided at the competition. Each team will be provided with one (1) table on which to display its scale model of Houston. The order and location of tables will be determined by CASE for Kids. Prior to the competition, a safety judge will inspect each team s scale model to determine whether it complies with stated safety guidelines. Unsafe models will be removed and teams responsible for those models will be disqualified. CASE for Kids reserves the right to invite members of the public and/or the media to observe teams presentations, scale models, and PSAs. Cash Scholarships: o High School Level: $2, for the first place team o Middle School Level: $2, for first the place team The scholarships will be awarded by Consumer Energy Alliance during the Energy Day Festival scheduled to take place in downtown Houston in October Judging Guidelines & Regulations CASE for Kids will select a panel of judges to score teams competition components. At no point during the competition may teams identify themselves or their projects as affiliated with a particular school or school district. All judges decisions are final. *CASE for Kids reserves the right to alter the rules at any time. Energy City of the Future 2050: Project Rules and Guidelines for the School Year 10