 The United States Department of Energy joined the PIAXP as a sponsor, funding an educational program targeted to young people.The first component of the Education Program is a web site created in partnership with Discovery Education, www.FuelOurFutureNow.com, featuring activities for K-12 students, as well as videos, virtual labs, and interactive resources intended for use in school and in the home.Although 111 teams registered for the PAIXP and paid the registration fee,
 by 20 October 2009, the number of teams had decreased to 43, sponsoring 53 vehicles between them.