Local Girls Take on Challenge to Build Solar-Powered Racecars from Recycled Refrigerators

What:

To help cultivate Chicago's young female innovators and future workforce, ComEd, along with community partners Girls4Science, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, the Chicago Urban League, Operation PUSH, and ASPIRA will kick-off the third annual Icebox Derby on Thursday, July 21.

The Icebox Derby is an exciting educational competition that provides female students the opportunity to gain real-world, hands-on experience through activities that bring to life the STEM subjects that can lead to lucrative careers. This year the young women will explore STEM through the scope of renewable energy, building and powering parts of their cars with solar technology.

Over the course of two weeks, the students will participate in a series of challenges as they build their Icebox Derby cars. The teams will gather at the Field Museum on August 13 for the official Race Day to compete for the chance to win the Icebox Derby STEM Cup along with other exciting prizes.

When:

Thursday, July 21, 2016       

6:00 pm CT     Guests and media check in
6:30 pm CT     Welcome by ComEd President & CEO Anne Pramaggiore and introductions

Who:

·         ComEd President and CEO Anne Pramaggiore

·         Representatives from the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, Girls4Science, the Chicago Urban League, Operation PUSH, and ASPIRA

·         30 girls aged 13-18
·         Engineering-focused mentors from ComEd

Where:

Derby Garage

More:

·         A look at the Prototype “ solar fridge car” and a chance to see someone drive it

·         The girls exploring their new workspaces with their teammates and being introduced to the fridge car tools and materials