Sept. 10, 2024

LOS ANGELES – Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) announced that the Boyle Heights Solis S.T.E.M. Magnet High School will compete tomorrow against teams representing 14 countries at the Hydrogen Grand Prix World Finals in Anaheim, California, taking place September 9 to 12. Sponsored by SoCalGas, the all-girls team, Las STEMateras, built a hydrogen fuel cell, remote-control race car that will compete in a six-hour race. This competition gives students the opportunity to use their knowledge of clean energy and apply their skills to hands-on projects.

This is the Boyle Heights Solis S.T.E.M. Magnet High School second trip to the world finals. In 2023, the Los STEMateros team participated in the Hydrogen Grand Prix World Finals in Las Vegas. The Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP) challenges tomorrow's innovators to design, engineer, build and race their own hydrogen-powered cars.

"We are so proud of the Boyle Heights Hilda Solis HS team for earning a spot to compete on an international stage," LAUSD Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said. "Their families and school communities will be rooting for them at every turn because of the teamwork, grit, and innovation. Let's go!!!"

Despite making up 47% of the national workforce, women only make up about 32% of the renewable energy workforce, according to Save on Energy. Opportunities like H2GP are important for providing accessible opportunities to all students pursuing careers in clean energy.

"Being able to work together with SoCalGas to provide these experiences to our youth in underrepresented communities is what drives my enthusiasm and allows me to enjoy the work that I do. The exposure to real world applications of topics that my students are learning in class is important for them to be able to gain the confidence to pursue careers in the stem fields where we are underrepresented," said Israel Hernandez, teacher coach of Las STEMateras.

H2GP's S.T.E.M curriculum exposes students to skills that are essential for California's energy transition. With SoCalGas' H2 Innovation Experience in Downey, and the recently revamped SoCalGas storefront at Junior Achievement of Southern California (JASoCal) JA Finance Park, SoCalGas provides practical, hands-on experience for students to learn meaningful lessons in sustainability and career exploration in S.T.E.M. fields.

SoCalGas is committed to supporting the communities it serves, working to provide equitable opportunities while taking tangible steps towards a carbon neutral future. By providing support and resources for students towards higher education and career development, SoCalGas aspires to empower communities and help young leaders for success.

Under the ASPIRE 2045 Sustainability Strategy, SoCalGas plans to invest $50 million over five years into communities the company serves, working to advance racial and gender diversity in the workplace and taking tangible steps towards a carbon neutral future. By providing resources for higher education and career development, SoCalGas aspires to empower communities and help prepare young leaders for success.