Background: According to a new report from the World Bank, 1.6 billion people gained access to electricity between 1990 and 2000, 70 percent of them in urban areas. But, as of 2010, 1.2 billion people were still living without electricity.
More than 95% of those living without electricity are in countries in sub-Saharan Africa and developing Asia, and they are predominantly in rural areas (around 80% of the world total). While still far from complete, progress in providing electrification in urban areas has outpaced that in rural areas two to one since 2000. (International Energy Association)
Task: This year, members of the Difference Maker Club will work collaboratively to create clean energy sources for people in rural towns and villages around the world. Students will research the problem, collect data, and develop a plan that will use kinetic energy to create useful electricity. The plan will be scientifically supported and include possible kinetic activities and technologies that will deliver usable electricity sources to countries of need, and encourage creative thinking in the classrooms at STEM Launch.