In June, the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) Greater New Orleans Chapter, in partnership with STEM NOLA, launched the PowerUp! Bootcamp – a week-long immersive program designed to expose students to the fundamentals of the energy industry. The program was proudly sponsored by Entergy and hosted 16 high school students and four college students from across Greater New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
Participants represented a diverse range of schools and institutions, including: Tulane University, Louisiana State University, NOCCA, Willow High School, Patrick Taylor Science and Technology Academy and Holy Cross School.
The PowerUp! Bootcamp introduced students to the full spectrum of the energy value chain – from generation to transmission to delivery. Students explored concepts such as baseload vs. peak load demand, intermittent vs. dispatchable energy sources and the technologies shaping the future of energy, including nuclear fusion and renewable generation. Through dynamic presentations from energy professionals at Entergy and other industry leaders, students gained insight into the real-world operations of the electric utility sector.
Highlights of the week included site visits to Entergy’s Nine Mile 6 power generation plant and Entergy New Orleans’ solar power facility, providing hands-on experience with modern energy infrastructure. Students also engaged with Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis, learning how regulation plays a critical role in energy planning and decision-making.
The bootcamp’s interactive design gave students the opportunity to become “Energy Planners,” simulating the process of designing a power grid tailored to a fictional city’s climate, population and budget. Additionally, students took part in workforce readiness training – learning resume writing, interview skills and networking best practices – and concluded the week with a professional networking lunch with Entergy staff, industry professionals and community leaders.
The PowerUp! Bootcamp is part of Entergy’s broader commitment to workforce development, STEM education, and community engagement across Louisiana.
