Roanoke Rapids, NC — Students from across Eastern North Carolina gathered at the Center for Energy Education in Roanoke Rapids on Wednesday, May 6, for the organization’s High School Clean Energy Career Fair, a regional workforce event focused on STEM education, renewable energy, and career exploration.
The event brought together 21 exhibitors representing clean energy companies, workforce organizations, colleges, public agencies, and STEM programs. Students from Halifax, Bertie, Washington, and surrounding counties spent the day meeting industry professionals, exploring hands-on exhibits, and learning about careers in renewable energy, technology, healthcare, public safety, conservation, and engineering.
Participating exhibitors included
- AES Corporation
- Coastal Studies Institute
- East Carolina University
- Enviva, Everblue
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Halifax Community College
- Halifax County Public Health System
- Halifax EMC
- Hayes-Moorthy Center for STEM Education
- Holden Temporaries, Inc.
- Invenergy, Monarch Bioenergy
- NC Clean Energy Technology Center
- NCWorks
- NCWorks Career Center
- North Carolina Forest Service: Forest Health Program
- Roanoke Cooperative, Sustainable Fleet
- TED Renewables
- Triangle Tesla Owners Nonprofit Group
Organizers said approximately 175 students attended the fair, where students interacted directly with exhibitors and participated in conversations about future career pathways. Chick-fil-A supported the event by providing more than 290 lunches for students, educators, and exhibitors.
“One of the most impressive things was how engaged the students were,” said Whitley Jones of the Center for Energy Education. “Everyone was inquisitive, intelligent, and driven.”
Among the most popular attractions was a Tesla Cybertruck exhibit, where students lined up to sit inside the vehicle, ask questions about electric transportation, and explore emerging technology. Staff members also noted strong student engagement with exhibitors focused on healthcare, wildlife conservation, and renewable energy innovation
Photo Caption: Students gather around Cybertruck to learn about electric cars from the Triangle Tesla Owners Nonprofit GroupFor many students, the event provided exposure to careers and industries they had never previously considered. Among the groups in attendance was the Washington County Schools JROTC program, whose students spent the day engaging with exhibitors, exploring workforce pathways, and learning how careers in renewable energy, public service, healthcare, engineering, and technology intersect with leadership and community impact.
Photo caption: Washington County Schools JROTC students pose for a group photo during the Center for Energy Education’s High School Clean Energy Career FairWashington County student Ariana Dunbar said her favorite exhibitor was Monarch Bioenergy, which demonstrated how agricultural waste can be converted into renewable energy.
Photo Caption: Washington County Student Ariana Dumbar holds Monarch Bioenergy PigAmong the students attending the event was Chase, a Washington County JROTC student who said he hopes to study medical science in college. “I’m going to college to study medical science,” Chase said. “I like helping people and feel I can make a difference there.”
While exploring the exhibits, Chase and other students spoke with vendors about careers in science, technology, healthcare, and energy. Another Washington County student, Stephanie, said she hopes to pursue a future in art but was especially drawn to an interactive ECU exhibit featuring a hydroelectric vehicle demonstration, highlighting how creativity and engineering can intersect in unexpected ways.
Photo Caption: Washington County Students Chase and Stephanie at C4EE Clean Energy Career Fair
Photo Caption: An East Carolina University representative demonstrates a hydroelectric vehicle model for students during the Center for Energy Education’s High School Clean Energy Career Fair
One of the day’s biggest success stories came from KidWind, a student renewable energy team that attended as both participants and exhibitors. During the fair, organizers learned the team was $3,000 short of the funding needed to attend an upcoming national competition. After connecting with one of the Center’s partners, the remaining funds were secured, fully covering the students’ trip costs
Photo Caption: KidWind team, The Solar Superstars, from left to right, Josiah Ausby, Naja Mason, Sara Fender, and Abigail Argumedo, stand with their solar-powered community model- Sunhaven. Not pictured are team members Carlos Nery and Gabe Maza.
With the success of this year’s career fair, the Center for Energy Education is already looking ahead to its next major regional event: EnergyFest this October. The annual event is expected to bring together more than 40 exhibitors and over 400 students for a larger day of hands-on STEM activities, workforce development, and community engagement centered around clean energy and emerging technologies.
Organizers say events like the High School Clean Energy Career Fair and EnergyFest are part of a broader effort to connect rural students with real-world opportunities and prepare the next generation for careers in North Carolina’s growing energy workforce.