Museum of Science and Industry

Museum Congratulates Winners of iDesign Competition

Museum of Science and Industry officials visited schools in Calumet City and Roselle to surprise the winners of the iDesign: Energy Planet exhibit design competition. The winning high-school entry was from Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City, and the winning middle-school entry was from Trinity Lutheran School in Roselle. More than 60 entries were submitted last fall.

Created as part of the Museum's 75th anniversary celebration this year, the competition was an innovative and exciting opportunity to engage teachers and students in a project that will have a lasting impact on the Museum. Middle- and high-school students across Chicagoland were invited to become "apprentice designers" and come up with an idea that can be included in a new, permanent exhibit on energy.

Energy Planet, generously funded by the BP Foundation, will focus on the challenges and possibilities of an energy-independent world. The exhibit will explore innovative ideas, new technologies and potential solutions that will help America and our planet achieve a sustainable energy future. The exhibit will open in 2011.

The competition challenged classes to dream up one idea, invention or technology that can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, increase use of renewable energy sources such as wind and sun, and promote energy conservation.

The competition was separated into two categories - middle school, for students in grades 6 though 8, and high school, for grades 9 through 12 - with a winner chosen in each category. Sixteen entries were invited to participate in Phase 2 by submitting a model and storyboard describing their idea. Eight finalists were asked to present their entries to a panel of judges.

The winning entry from Trinity Lutheran teacher Amy Moeller's sixth-grade class, 6K (pictured above), showcases several energy sources. Museum guests would travel through themed rooms to learn about making energy from water, corn and hydrogen and to understand the impact of pollution and landfills. Activities would allow Museum guests to make a rain barrel, calculate fuel savings, play educational games and gather puzzle pieces that, when assembled, contain a message reminding them that they are part of the energy solution.

The winning entry from Thornton Fractional North teacher Karla Krygier's Chemistry II class (pictured below) highlights hydrogen energy. Museum guests would learn about the harmful effects of fossil fuels via videos, interactive games and displays before walking through a tunnel surrounded by bubbling water into the hydrogen car display. There, guests could learn about hydrogen cars, sample water from the car's exhaust, build their own hydrogen car and see a hydrogen fueling station.

Museum officials are assembling an expert advisory committee that will help create the exhibit content and determine how the winners' concepts will be included as part of Energy Planet.

Awards include a $50 Target gift card for each student of the winning class, a laptop computer for the teacher of each winnign class, and a $3,000 grant for science materials for each winning school. Winners will be acknowledged in the exhibit upon its opening.

"The competition is an example of how the Museum is working to achieve its vision, which is to inspire and motivate our children to reach their full potential in the fields of science, technology, medicine and engineering," said David Mosena, President and CEO of the Museum. "We've enjoyed seeing all the studetns' creative and innovative ideas. It's clear that energy independence will come from the minds and imaginations of today's students."

Other finalists were:

Middle School

Cambridge Lakes Charter School, Pingree Grove
Team: The Bright Solution
Teacher: Martha M. Rathbun

Jerling Junior High School, Orland Park
Team: Jerling Energizers
Teacher: Judy Stellato

Trinity Lutheran School, Roselle
Team: 8G
Teacher: Amy L. Moeller

High School

Lake View High School, Chicago
Team: Lake View Wildcats
Teacher: Dr. Mahesh Alur

Maine West High School, Des Plaines
Team: Swistak 1st Period Class
Teacher: Derrick A. Swistak

Maine West High School, Des Plaines
Team: Swistak 7th Period Class
Teacher: Derrick A. Swistak