At Troy University, CFACT Collegian Caitlyn Harris brought a creative edge to energy education with her “Guess What’s in Your Solar Panel?” Jenga event—proving that sometimes the best way to spark conversation is with a simple game.
Hosted on March 11th, the setup quickly became a focal point on campus. Curious students stopped to see what was going on, and before long, many decided to stick around and play a round of Jenga. What started as a casual game quickly turned into something more, as participants realized each block held a lesson about the materials behind modern energy technologies.
Each block in the tower was labeled with a material commonly used in solar panels and batteries, including silicon, silver, copper, cobalt, and lithium. When a student pulled a block, Harris shared a short explanation of where that material comes from, how it’s mined, and the environmental impacts associated with it that are rarely discussed in academic circles.
The interactive format made a clear difference. Instead of passively reading a flyer, students were actively engaged—asking questions, diving into discussions, and most importantly forever associating said facts with a positive, fun memory. Many of the most meaningful conversations centered on cobalt and the realities of battery production, topics that often go overlooked in mainstream discussions about “green” energy.
By turning a classic game into an educational experience, Harris created an approachable way to explore complex issues. Events like this highlight what makes CFACT Collegians effective on campus: having fun, encouraging critical thinking, and equipping them with facts they won’t hear in the classroom.
