MP&W is proud to support our youth through various programs, scholarships and contests.

Annual Energy Poster Contest
MP&W sponsors an energy poster competition for fourth and fifth grade students from the Muscatine, Iowa area each year in early March following energy efficiency presentations at each local school. Over $3,000 in prizes are awarded. All posters are then sent on to compete at the state level in the Iowa Energy Poster Contest.
Energy Poster Contest Rules

MP&W $500 Energy Efficiency Scholarship
Each spring, we award a $500 scholarship to a Muscatine High School senior interested in studying energy efficiency or an energy-related subject in college. Scholarship applicants must write an essay on an energy efficiency-related topic. The scholarship recipient is chosen from all qualified entries. Please contact the Muscatine High School for more details.

APPA DEED Scholarships
Each year the American Public Power Association's DEED program awards up to ten $4,000 scholarships to college or university students across the nation. DEED scholarships support education in energy-related fields and increase awareness about career opportunities in public power. To compete for a DEED scholarship, college students need to work with a sponsoring utility, such as MP&W, to conduct research on an energy-related project.
APPA Deed Scholarship

Electrathon
MP&W is proud to be the main sponsor for the Muscatine High School Electrathon team. Muscatine is one of 12 teams from around the state that compete in the Iowa Electrathon races. An Electrathon car is only big enough to seat one person. The Muscatine team's car 07 uses two lead-acid batteries to power its electric motor. The car is capable of operating at 30 mph for the entire hour-long race. The winner of the race is the car that makes the most laps in one hour. Muscatine High School students design the car, weld the car's frame, wire the car, and drive it in races all over Iowa. In addition to building a racecar, the team is also responsible for finding sponsors to fund their car, writing reports on their progress, and organizing a race in Muscatine.

The Iowa Electrathon racing season lasts from May to September, with a total of 6 races. In 2005, Muscatine's car 70 was the Class 1A champion, and car 07 finished second in class 1A.

Thanks to MP&W's continued support, the team continues to grow and learn. A new car is built every year, so new ideas and technologies are constantly being tested.

Muscatine Science and Engineering Fair
MP&W provides monetary awards for the top three energy efficient and/or renewable energy projects at Muscatine Science and Engineering Fair.

Junior Solar Sprint
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) Program is a classroom-based, hands-on educational program for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. JSS student teams apply math, science, and creativity to construct model solar-powered cars and race them in interscholastic competitions hosted within their schools or within their states or regions. JSS began in 1990 as a single demonstration race and expanded to 10 regional competitions in 1991. The program now uses public and private sector support to improve education in middle/junior high schools across the nation. MP&W works with area middle schools to extend the JSS program to Muscatine. We provide all the car kits and tools the students need for the program.
For more information on the Junior Solar Sprint Program Information
JSS Host Guide Booklet
Ray Catcher Sprint Power Pak used in the Junior Solar Sprint cars Information