The Power Your Future Challenge, spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Education, is a national initiative designed to motivate high school students to explore and pursue careers in clean energy. This program directly aligns with the broader mission of advancing clean energy adoption and fostering a skilled workforce for the future. The challenge encourages students to develop innovative action plans for promoting clean energy within their schools and communities, thereby connecting educational programs, specifically Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, with the diverse career pathways available in the clean energy sector.
The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are high school students across all states and counties, particularly those enrolled in CTE programs. The initiative targets both individual students and teams, as well as eligible educational entities and nonprofit organizations that partner with these entities. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate the next generation of clean energy leaders by tapping into their knowledge, drive, and creativity. By engaging students in real-world problem-solving, the challenge aims to make them active participants in shaping America's clean energy future.
The program prioritizes the development of practical skills and innovative thinking among high school students in areas relevant to clean energy careers, such as construction, manufacturing, and engineering. It focuses on integrating CTE programs with clean energy career pathways, recognizing their unique position to fuel the future clean energy workforce. The core theory of change appears to be that by engaging students in hands-on, problem-based learning experiences related to clean energy, they will be inspired to pursue careers in the field, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future.
Expected outcomes include the submission of 200 to 400 innovative action plans from student teams. Up to ten (10) winners will be selected, each receiving an equal share of a $50,000 cash prize pool. Measurable results will include the number of submissions received, the number of winning teams, and, indirectly, an increased awareness and engagement of high school students in clean energy career opportunities. The grant size ranges from $10,000 to $100,000, supporting the development and implementation of these innovative projects by eligible recipients.
