Read how these Indiana schools are examples of best practices in action as they promote learning in their classrooms.
“How much energy does this make?” This is usually the first question students at Union City High School ask when they see the tall wind turbine tower outside the school’s chemistry classroom. “This question provides great learning opportunities in math, science, and English with practice in problem solving, experimentation, and data collection,” explains environmental science, chemistry and physics teacher John Zakelj. A few years ago, Randolph Eastern School Corporation decided it was time to become serious about conserving energy to help their environment and entered into the Wind and Solar Renewable Energy Project. The purchase of solar panels, a wind turbine, and monitoring system brought about technological teaching tools for students along with providing a small amount of power for their school building. Partnerships with their local energy company, Indiana Dept. of Energy, local businesses, and foundations provided funding for additional equipment such as small solar cells and kilowatt energy meters to help integrate the study into the curriculum.
At the high school, students collect data from the monitoring system which records new information every 15 minutes from the solar panels and wind turbine. This data is logged into a computer system and is available to everyone via a website. Students are able to download numerical data, extract useable information, and manipulate it. MS Excel™ provides an easy way to manage the monumental amount of statistics recorded. Learning about energy measurements helps with understanding of a utility bill along with tracking feasibility and energy output within their school. One environmental science class has worked on a mathematical computer model that can predict how much electricity the turbine will generate under different conditions. It is similar to a model atmospheric scientists are using to study climate change.
At West Side Middle School, science teacher Kevin Lehman works hard to blend alternative energy into the regular curriculum. Seventh-grade students experience a hands-on approach. They design blades for their own wind turbine models, test them and gather data on their energy collection ability. Eighth-grade students use energy meters to test, chart, and compare energy usage by a variety of appliances and tools around the school. This helps them understand energy usage and figure out ways to save it. To help address the Indiana Grade 8 Science Standard on series and parallel circuits, they use wiring and solar cells along with some problem solving skills to produce energy.
To extend energy savings a little further, Superintendent Cathy Stephen found another great partner in their community. Rob Lykins, president of Productive Concepts, Inc. (PCI) and a graduate of Union City High School, collaborated with her on a unique idea of a model conversion hybrid school bus. PCI works with alternative fuel technologies and transportation conversions. They helped design a unique system for a Randolph Eastern school bus. Cathy explains, “With the hybrid system being removable, if the bus breaks down, the hybrid unit can be transferred to a different bus, or this bus still has the option to be diesel if needed. It provides a great opportunity and expected savings of 25% on fuel.” Students also have been involved with this project by test riding the bus, touring the PCI factory and learning that problem solving is the key to this type of production.
With new wind farms planned to be built in their community within the next few years, Randolph Eastern School Corporation is looking to the future. With two years of data in hand, administrators and staff are currently in the process of expanding their wind turbine project with the purchase of a large wind turbine to power the entire school. “Their collection of data has been important for students to see that these numbers really mean something and can affect future development,” explains Zakelj. The plans include a way of sharing data and experiences with other schools across the nation to assist them with their own energy conservation. With great community support, the establishment of a Green Technology Training Center is also planned so that students can receive training to build and maintain these technological energy tools of the future.
"The school district has been a good role model as it steps out and tries these things. Now students see it is important to attempt new and unique ideas," shares Lehman. "If we just sit around and complain about problems, nothing gets solved." Randolph Eastern School Corporation shows that it is not sitting around complaining about the cost of energy. Instead, they are moving and saving into the future.
This article appeared in the ETC...and More! volume 2, number 5 newsletter and is published by the Buddy
Project
(Corporation for Educational Technology), in
collaboration with the Hoosier
Educational Computer
Coordinators (HECC),
Indiana Computer Educators (ICE),
the Indiana Department of Education, and Promoting Achievement through Technology and INstruction for all Students (PATINS).
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Randolph Eastern's West Side Middle School students studying alternative energy.
