Wayne Central School District

Wayne Central School District has been awarded a grant through Constellation’s Energy to Educate (E2) program to support the district’s Cross-Club Solar Car Challenge, a hands-on initiative engaging students in grades 6–12 in designing, building, and racing solar-powered vehicles. The grant was written by Community School Coordinator James Hiltunen.

The Cross-Club Solar Car Challenge brings together existing Technology, STEM, and Environmental Clubs across the district in a five-phase program: Kickoff, Design, Build, Test, and Showcase. The plan for the grant includes having students work in cross-grade teams and compete in a district-wide challenge that culminates in a community showcase. Funding from the grant supports solar car kits, workshop tools, mentor stipends, competition expenses, and transportation, providing students with real-world engineering and renewable energy experience while expanding the district’s CO₂ car curriculum.

Constellation (Nasdaq: CEG), the nation’s largest producer of clean energy, awarded this grant during American Education Week, held November 17–21. As part of that initiative, more than $500,000 in E2 grants were provided to 24 projects across nine states, reaching over 31,000 students from middle school through college. Selected projects align with innovation themes such as Access in Energy, Sustainability Amidst Growing Energy Needs, and Nuclear Technology & Clean Energy, and include initiatives focused on solar-powered vehicles, renewable energy system design, and advanced energy technology learning experiences.

This E2 grant strengthens Wayne Central’s ability to offer dynamic, future-focused STEM opportunities. By engaging students in the design and engineering process, the district continues to foster curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, preparing learners to become leaders in the clean energy workforce of tomorrow.