Heartland-Sponsored Teams Honored at 2025 SunPowered Student Challenge
WICHITA, Kan. (April 2, 2025) — Three student teams sponsored by Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative earned top honors at this year’s SunPowered Student Challenge, held April 2 at Wichita State University. The annual event brought together high school students from across the state to test their knowledge and skills in solar energy and engineering through hands-on, collaborative challenges.
“A lot of people think more solar is always better, but that’s not how the grid works,” said Mark Scheibe, Heartland CEO. “This challenge teaches students that energy has to be balanced, timed, and integrated into the system.”
The CLC Wasps from Christian Learning Center in Fort Scott took home the top prize, winning both the Performance Challenge and overall first place in the competition. Guided by science teacher Scott Cain, the team’s strong showing reflected their deep understanding of solar energy and their ability to apply it in real-time, problem-solving scenarios.
The Uniontown Eagles from USD 235 Uniontown received the Curb Appeal Award for their innovative and visually striking solar designs, blending aesthetics with functionality. Also finishing strong, Columbus Solar from USD 493 Columbus along with the K.E. Helios Heroes from USD 273 Beloit shared the Collaborative Challenge title.
“We don’t just need people who know how to install solar panels—we need problem solvers who understand the whole system,” Scheibe said. “And that’s what we’re helping build through the SunPowered Student Challenge.”
The SunPowered Student Challenge, now in its second year, requires that student teams work through a hands-on curriculum and then take what they’ve learned and compete against other teams at a statewide competition. SunPowered is presented by Future STEAM and founders Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., Pitsco Education, and Ten80 Education.
For more information, contact Doug Graham, Heartland Communication Specialist, at (620) 724-5526.
Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. powers rural lifestyles throughout more than 11,000 locations in eastern Kansas. Heartland’s service area includes parts of 12 counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.
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