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  • 2021: “Preserving Planet Earth”
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    • 2020 “Reducing Individual Impacts”
    • 2019: “Toward A Greener Tomorrow”
    • 2018 “Solving Climate Change”
    • 2017: “Creating a Greener Future”
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    • 2015 Feed The World
    • 2014 “A Solution to Pollution”
    • 2013 “Clean Water for All”
    • 2012 “Solar Solutions”
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Happy New Year!

01/04/2021 by Kevin Sanders

Well, I think I speak for everyone when I say that 2020 was a year we would rather move past! Not much seemed to go well and even when it did, it was painful. With a global pandemic a lot seemed to be put on hold, and unfortunately that includes sustainability. But with vaccines on the way, hopefully this year will allow the world to focus on a green future! 

A lot of people relished at news that our carbon footprint decreased dramatically this year; many even said this would help with our long term planetary health. This is sadly not the case. While clearer skies and waterways were a side effect, they were not a permanent result. Sustainable research is still needed! I have faith that most who understood the energy crisis were not confused by this short term positive news, and if you are reading this blog post then you are very likely one of those people!

As we begin the next annual chapter in human history, I hope that you continue to have faith in our future! Youth centered scientific research is a keystone of a healthy planet. Students looking into sustainable practices will be the defining factor in the long term health of our home. How are you helping us get there?

Filed Under: Blog, CTC Blog Tagged With: Clean Tech Competition, clean technology, research, science, science competition, sustainability, sustainable living

Cost vs Benefit of Responsible Climate Policies

11/23/2020 by Kevin Sanders

(Whenever you hear of responsible climate policies being proposed, you almost invariably hear the response of “it is too expensive, we cannot afford that.” It is very difficult to properly describe how much a statement like this frustrates me. I do not think that there is a cheap fix for our climate issues, that would be naïve. But I find it to be infantile to look at the cost of action and ignore the cost of inaction!

The cost for responsible action is purely monetary. And money is something that we can certainly make more of in a sustainable environment. The money is invested and will spur job growth, create opportunities, provide a healthy environment, improve current technology, fashion new technology at the cutting edge of science, etcetera etcetera etcetera. 

The cost for inaction? Rising sea levels that destroy coastal cities and island cultures. Increased droughts and famine that plague millions. Larger numbers of disease carrying insects. In short, a world much harsher than the one that gave birth to us; one that will kill millions more every year. 

And somehow governments, politicians and civilians alike look at the enormous (but relatively small) cost of acting now, and view it is “too much.” To be able to speak and act this way is one of privilege. The knowledge that the impending climate disaster will impact you on a far smaller scale than those in innumerable other places on earth. This too is short sighted and selfish. While maybe they and their children will be fine, their grandchildren will undoubtedly suffer too. 

Thankfully there are more who see than do not, and this gives me hope! If you are entering into the Clean Tech Competition then I am certain you have a reasonable view, and I hope you try to help others see the light!

Filed Under: Blog, CTC Blog Tagged With: Clean Tech Competition, clean technology, research, science, science competition, sustainability, sustainable living

Research In School

11/04/2020 by Kevin Sanders

In the course of administering the Clean Tech Competition, one thing that has struck me is the inconsistency in research programs amongst secondary schools. My own did not have any sort of research program and when I look even now they still do not. And it makes me wonder: why? Why is research not more of a thing in every nation, large or small, wealthy or poor? My initial thoughts are that it is the same reason that many students do not perform research on their own; they feel as though they need a big expensive lab to be able to accomplish anything because that is the image they have always had.

Surprise, you do not! While it certainly helps, a fancy lab does not cause you to innovate, it merely helps. And if anything, the perception of a lab being necessary stymies growth on its own. Several of the best projects from the Competition have been done in an informal setting. 

If this sort of thinking, that science can be done anywhere, was more prevalent, how much farther along could we be as a world? If everyone looked around and saw something they could improve on their own and did not feel a major obstacle, what would that accomplish? In younger kids especially, a whole lot. Children are curious as a rule. Encouraging them to apply their curiosity at a young age would inspire legions more to pursue a scientific career. At least, that is how I see it!

Filed Under: Blog, CTC Blog Tagged With: Clean Tech Competition, clean technology, research, science, science competition, sustainability, sustainable living

Shift in Research Location

10/19/2020 by Kevin Sanders

Today I (your administrator) received an email from an inspired student who was interested in entering the Competition. They were very excited about performing research to enter into the High Tech category, but one of the worries he had was that he would not be able to perform research at the appropriate level since he did not have access to his school’s lab as he would have in the past. As I was typing my reply I realized this would apply to many more young students as well! 

The truth is that while for many of our entrants, access to a school research lab is something they have grown accustomed to and take for granted as a way that they are able to perform research. But the opposite is also true for many of our entrants and budding scientists around the world: access to a laboratory is something they have never had the opportunity to indulge in. 

This difference in opportunity is one of the reasons we decided to make this years categories High Tech and Low Cost. Whether you have access to a million dollar research center or spare parts around your bedroom your ability to enter this Competition remains focused on one thing: your ability to think outside of the box given your current circumstances.

Some of the top projects in the last couple years have been from Teams that have used commonly available items. If you feel like you are unable to perform research to the standards of the Competition, then look no further for inspiration than these intrepid Teams who have made the most with what they have and succeeded! 

Please feel free to reach out to myself at cleantech@cstl.org or by phone at 516-764-0045 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm EST) if you wish for help in clarifying any of our requirements!

Filed Under: Blog, CTC Blog Tagged With: clean technology, research, science, science competition, sustainability, sustainable living

Round 10 Here We Go!

10/09/2020 by Kevin Sanders

Registration opens on Monday, marking the official start of the 2021 Spellman High Voltage Clean Tech Competition! This marks the 10th year in a row we have held this event, and we are as excited as ever to get that ball rolling! Despite a year of uncertainty, everyone at the Competition and our sponsor, Spellman HV Electronics, new there was no way we were missing out on this milestone of a year! 

As always, registration is free to anyone eligible to enter! We feel this is an important part of what makes the Clean Tech Competition accessible to everyone, and underscores that innovation comes from both a high tech lab and a backyard research station. An innovative mind exists regardless of economic background, and sometimes the simplest ideas are the best! This is part of the thinking behind the categories for this year, Low Cost and High Tech. All of these are needed for Preserving Planet Earth, and we hope to see your innovation entered this year!

Filed Under: Blog, CTC Blog

2021 Theme and Dates are Here!

09/21/2020 by Kevin Sanders

We are incredibly excited to formally announce the details for our 10th annual Competition! Given this being our 10 year anniversary, coupled with the increasingly strong warning signs for our planets health, we have decided on a theme that best encompasses what we are about as a Competition: Preserving Planet Earth. For more information on the Competition theme and Categories, check our our page on The Challenge. 

Our timeline is also available! Registration will open on October 12th and run through next April. Our Finals will once again be held in August, and the determination on an in-person or purely virtual Finals will be made next year when we have more information on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for your patience on this matter! 

15-18 year old student scientists across the globe are encouraged to enter their clean technology research into this years event. Help us Preserve Planet Earth for you chance at our $10,000 grand prize!

Filed Under: CTC Blog

Almost There!

09/15/2020 by Kevin Sanders

It feels like just yesterday we were hosting the 2020 Finals Live Stream, but here we are over a month later and preparing to announce the 2021 Competition! It is always a great feeling when you prepare to announce something new, and I personally am brimming with excitement thinking about the amazing opportunities this next year will provide. 

In the first place, we are incredibly blown away that this will be the tenth year of the Clean Tech Competition! Over the last decade, the need for sustainable and green technology has become more necessary than ever. The issues brought on by anthropogenic climate change have increased tenfold. Currently in the United States, our western states are burning with an intensity never seen before. In the southern areas of our country, we are in the middle of an intense hurricane season. In the northeast, it looks as if another dry and warm winter season is incoming. And this is in only our small corner of the world. 

We are looking for your ingenious solutions to help us conserve the resources we have and hopefully help prevent the rapidly accelerating issues their loss poses. Help us make the tenth year our best one yet and another strong showing of hope for our future!

Filed Under: Blog, CTC Blog

Congratulations Finalists!

06/11/2020 by Kevin Sanders

Another whirlwind first round is over, and we have 20 new Finalist Teams! It seems like just yesterday we were opening registration, and only this morning a pandemic threw us a bigger curve ball than we could ever imagine.  We are incredibly excited to move on towards our Finals event which will be viewable to anyone who wants to join! Science is something to be shared among everyone, and we felt that this was the best way we could contribute to that mentality. Once again congratulations to our Finalists, Semi-Finalists, and all who were able to persevere and submit their projects! 

Filed Under: Blog, CTC Blog

Live Streamed Finals!

05/25/2020 by Kevin Sanders

Normally, when Teams are presenting their research and prototype to the judges they are in a small room. It is just them, the judges, their poster and prototype as they enter the Final stages of the Competition. Unfortunately this year the judges and Teams will be hundreds or thousands of miles apart, interacting through a webcam and screen. Not the intimate experience that we always strive for, but in times like these you find exciting new ways to utilize what you have!

For the 2020 Spellman HV Clean Tech Competition Finals, the Competition has decided that we will be live streaming each judging presentation for all to witness! More information will be coming soon, but for now mark off Thursday August 6, 2020 on your calendar as the date of our Virtual Finals that you can watch! 

The old saying “make lemonade out of lemons” could not be better applied than here. Two months ago we had a whole host of questions on how the event would run this year. Now we still have questions, but they are focused on exciting new pathways! Science is all about sharing and openness, and in a digital age we are able to take this to a whole new level. We hope you can join us for this one-of-a-kind event from any corner of the globe! 

 

Filed Under: Blog, CTC Blog

Let the Judging Begin!

05/20/2020 by Kevin Sanders

After delays and adjustments in the face of a global pandemic, we have begun our judging! Last week hundreds of paper submissions were sent to dozens of engineers, professors and researchers across the globe to be scored. From here, we will narrow it down to our top Teams! First on June 5th we will be announcing our semi-finalists, so keep an eye on your email and our social media! Then that very next Monday, our Finalists will be announced on June 8th! These top 20 Teams will compete in our first ever Virtual Finals in early August. The Competition date will be announced very soon, that I promise you!

Presenting your research to a Team of judges is already a challenge. You may know your work better than anyone, but sharing that knowledge can often be difficult! Now, Teams will need to overcome the added challenge of doing so in a virtual format over video. Our 2020 Competitors have all had to overcome a disrupted research plan, so hats off to each and every one of them!

Filed Under: Blog, CTC Blog

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