HARRISBURG, Pa. — Four Penn State Altoona students competed in the America250PA Direct Effect Innovation Challenge final after moving through the first and second rounds of the competition. The event was held at the State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg on Nov. 15.

Kiersten Baker, Veronica Chavez-Fuentes, Avery Morder and April Silva were one of five teams of students from postsecondary institutions across the commonwealth to compete in the final.

Following this year's theme of "Powering the Future," teams designed and pitched a $100,000 marketing campaign promoting the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s adoption of solar energy, raising awareness about the benefits of solar power, and encouraging interest in sustainable transportation solutions.

America250PA was established by the legislature and governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present and future.