Call For Papers
The Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association (www.themarea.org) is seeking undergraduate and graduate papers that investigate energy issues and solutions for the one-day Sustainable Obtainable Symposium (www.themarea.org/sos) to be held in Kempton, PA on Friday, September 16, 2011. Along with scholarship opportunities for travel, MAREA will award up to $1500 of prize money to exceptional essays.
The day will also include a luncheon and speakers who will discuss how to find a job in a green industry.
Completed papers of no more than 1,500 words should be submitted as a PDF attachment and sent to sos@themarea.org by May 31, 2011.

Suggested Topics:
Architecture and Buildings
Including but not limited to design, materials, construction methods, solar thermal, landscaping/water, monitoring, appliances, lighting.
Transportation
Including but not limited to alternative fuels, vehicle design and production, engine design, emissions management, infrastructure.
Renewable Electricity Generation
Including but not limited to wind, photovoltaics, concentrating solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, fuel cells, biomass, methane, carbon sequestration, policy, infrastructure, management.
Social Science
Including but not limited to the culture of going or being "green,"community development studies, analysis of political movements or ideas, socioeconomic changes due to environmental factors, mental health impacts, sociological surveys.
Recycling and Waste Management
Including but not limited to zero waste, e-waste, closed-loop recycling, infrastructure, new materials, bio-plastics, composting, landfills, sludge, creative solutions.
Agriculture
Including but not limited to farming methods, crop and land management, methane capture, water management.

Submissions
Can include original research, investigative and demonstration projects, illuminating analyses, position papers, supported proposals, and novel concepts.
Winning papers will address topics or solutions that promise significant advancement in making sustainable obtainable. The goal is widespread reduction in our environmental impact by any legal means, including technology, policy, behavioral, product or process changes. Winning papers will be clearly organized, well written and fully supported with data and sources. Winners will be chosen based on the quality and relevance of the topic and the convincing potential for widespread reduction in environmental impact.
Please feel free to email the symposium coordinators with any questions you may have (sos@themarea.org).

Download this description at http://www.themarea.org/sos/sos_%20call-for-papers(3-1-11).pdf.