2025 Contest Winners

Ethan Li of Shanghai, China, Ann won first place in the photo contest with ‘Energy in Motion: Power and Progress Along the Silk Road’, an image capturing a coal-laden freight train hurtling across a towering viaduct in Kuche, Xinjiang—a province vital to China’s energy production. The juxtaposition of the train’s kinetic force with the vast, rugged terrain below highlights both humanity’s ability to harness energy and the immense geological forces that have shaped the landscape over time..

Charles Yang of Newbury Park, California, won first place in the visual arts contest for their imaginative and distinctive use of scenes and symbols to thoughtfully weave together diverse natural systems and forms of energy—from geological forces and flowing water to ecosystems, weather, and lightning. The artwork’s careful use of color, symbolism, and detail demonstrates a strong understanding of the interconnectedness of Earth’s processes, resulting in a visually compelling and meaningful piece.

Annabelle Ash of Virginia Beach, Virginia, won first place in the essay contest with a compelling paper examining Kinetic Floor Technology and its potential as a sustainable energy solution.