Newswise — Heightened by the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, developing economically and environmentally responsible forms of energy are critical in meeting the world’s constantly increasing energy demands. The world's economic growth and prosperity is directly proportional to the availability of affordable energy sources. Despite the improvements and advancements in energy efficiency and related technologies, energy demands are growing at a rate that cannot be sustained forever.

JETS is placing high emphasis on the global energy need and is making it the focus of the 2011 TEAMS Competition. TEAMS is an annual, theme-based competition giving high school students the opportunity to discover their potential for engineering. Student teams work collaboratively and use the practical applications of math and science to answer engineering questions about real-world challenges. Recognizing that America’s young people are going to be the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators, First Lady, Michelle Obama recently remarked during the National Science Bowl, “In the coming decades, our future scientists, engineers, and leaders are going to help tackle some of our most challenging problems.”

To help inspire these students and lead them toward discovering an engineering career, JETS is seeking subject matter experts in energy to help create the questions for the coming year’s program. The competition consists of eight scenarios, each with ten multiple-choice questions. Questions will include varying levels of academic subjects (math, physics, biology, economics, etc.) suitable for grades 9-12; background information; assumptions and givens for calculations; and applicable charts, graphs, formulas, etc.

Please contact JETS if you, your organization or someone you know are experts in the following areas:

Energy Diversification: Develop economical and safe ways to utilize all available energy resources (crude oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear, wind, solar, biomass, hydroelectric, geothermal).

Energy Efficiency: Develop technologies that will improve efficiencies within homes, vehicles, buildings and industry.

Energy Security: Protect energy infrastructure for both supplying and importing countries.

Ecological Sustainability: Reduce, capture and store pollution emissions.

Professionals from industry, higher academic institutions, non-profits, secondary math and science educators and curriculum specialists are encouraged to inquire. Authors will receive national recognition for their contribution with credit noted on printed competition sets and small stipends may be offered.

About JETS

JETS is a national non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting engineering and technology careers to our nation's young people. As a prominent force at the secondary school level, JETS engages students in various engineering education programs that are an essential part of fostering the engineering profession.

Students in JETS programs are presented the opportunities to: understand how engineers make a difference in our world (Explore); see how their own talents and skills align to engineering majors and occupations (Assess); and participate in exciting real-world based competitions and activities (Experience). JETS programs touch more than 40,000 students and 10,000 educators from 6,000 high schools across the country every year. JETS participants are a diverse group - more than 50 percent are from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in engineering and technology fields, including one-third who are female.

For more information, please visit, www.jets.org