The Solar Design Stars Program

With a goal of increasing young girls’ awareness around renewable energy, Pink Space Theory launched the Solar Design Stars program this month at Fred Lynn Middle School in Prince William County.  

During the four-week workshop, which began Oct. 7, participants will learn about environmental stewardship, develop leadership skills and understand the importance of failure “losses” during the learning process.

Using hands-on and experimental curriculum, instructors from Fred Lynn, and Benton Middle Schools, and a George Mason University graduate student will work with the fifteen girls  once a week for 1.5 hours on design creations for a solar powered boat.

At the end of the session—Oct. 27—employees from Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) will judge the boat designs and determine winners. The prizes, which include laptops and a gift card, are funded by Cox Communications and non-collegiate service sorority Kappa Epsilon Psi.

Focused on bringing exposure to science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) at a young age, Pink Space Theory also offers programming related to career readiness training such as the Life Skills Workshop.

Hosted online in collaboration with UPS, the free seminars are catered towards high school students and discuss time management, job readiness, money management and effective communication. Though the first session already passed, students can still register for the Oct. 20, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 dates.