The race for 100 percent sustainable energy is on. San Francisco is working to meet 100 percent of its electricity demand with renewable energy by 2020. California, as a whole, plans to reach the 50 percent mark by 2030. In 2045, Hawaii is hoping to be the first state using 100 percent renewable energy for its electricity demands.

This clean energy race, much like the space race, is creating an opportunity for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students to start addressing real-world problems.

That’s exactly what twelve environmentally-conscious and motivated fourth-grade, fifth-grade and sixth-grade students from Elliott Ranch Elementary School in Elk Grove were recently selected to do. They are participating in a project called Pacific Clean Energy Swap, which partners them with students in Hawaii. In the coming weeks they’ll be working to solve real-world energy problems. In May, they’ll present their ideas at the Hawaii STEM Conference in Maui.