West Virginia University will host Gov. Joe Manchin and 400 middle school students from around the state Friday, May 29, during Energy Daya daylong event aimed at educating young people on the critical topic of energy.

The governor will speak briefly to the students atnoon in Room 113 of the Mineral Resources Building.

Energy Day is co-sponsored by WVU s College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and The EdVenture Group , a nonprofit educational organization, with support from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.

Throughout the day, students will break down into small groups to participate in hands-on activitiessuch as building solar cells and eco-friendly lava lampsand view demonstrations on topics such as solar, geothermal and other forms of energy.

WVU engineering faculty and students and representatives of agencies and companiesincluding the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, NASA , Dominion and otherswill lead the workshops and demonstrations.

WVU is a national leader in energy research and education,said Peter Magrath, interim president of WVU .We are conducting advanced research and educating the high-tech workforce our state needs to compete in the global economy. Energy Day will enable us to engage with the young people who are so critical to our success in these efforts.

We are pleased to have Gov. Manchin join us as we welcome these young people to our campus to learn more about innovation and opportunity in the field of energy,said Gene Cilento , Glen H. Hiner Dean of the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

This event provides a unique opportunity to create an awareness of the energy sector for West Virginia middle school students,said Lydotta Taylor, president of The EdVenture Group.

Participating students and teachers are coming from Chapmanville Middle (Logan County), Sandy River Middle, Mount View High (McDowell County), Shortline School (Wetzel County), Princeton Middle (Mercer County), and Mannington Middle (Marion County).

Students will also get to meet WVU s new Mountaineer, Rebecca Durst , who will lead them in a special WVU trivia session.