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Pontiac Township High School took another step in its pursuit of being the top "green" school in Illinois with the addition of a solar panel that not only helps offset the school's carbon footprint but also provides its students with a hands-on tool to learn about renewable energy and its applications.
The solar panel, located near the south side entrance of the school, was obtained through a $10,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation and installed in the fall. It was operational earlier this spring and is expected to be incorporated into the lesson plans for every course in the science department.
"The grant was written in the hopes that the panel could help teach students the benefits and uses of solar energy," said PTHS science instructor Paul Ritter. "We want to utilize it as a demonstrative tool of what energy it can possibly generate given existing technology."
The grant application was filed by PTHS grant consultant John Mehlberg and members of the science department in the spring of 2007. According to Mehlberg, they were required to provide data on electrical usage and other details, but the center of the foundation's focus was how the panel could be introduced and utilized in teaching students and illustrating how such resources could benefit the community.
Classes have already had lectures revolving around the solar panel and instructors are working on developing lesson plans for each science class to use in conjunction with it.
"We're going to try to incorporate it throughout the entire science curriculum," said instructor Nate Nollen. "We're going to organize it on our Web page and show where each subject can use this."
One way Nollen is integrating the solar panel into his general science and biology lesson plans is comparing and contrasting how natural plant cells capture and harvest energy with how artificial solar panels do.
The solar panel introduction is the latest in a number of tools that PTHS instructors are using to teach their students about renewable energy and technology. It also has in-depth instruction with subjects such as biodiesel, ethanol and wind energy. Students even produce their own biodiesel at the school and are involved with a number of environmentally conscious projects such as storm sewer stenciling and the prescription drug disposal program.
The building trades class is expected to build its next home utilizing green aspects, including solar panels and solar hot water heaters.
For the administration, teachers and students at PTHS, such devices are first steps in getting prepared for the challenges of the future. Not only do they provide students with access to the most modern, relevant technologies of the day, but they also help them use creative, renewable applications to offset ever-rising energy costs and keep the school one of the most environmentally friendly ones in the state.
"I think that our teachers who have been involved with this have taken one more step to tie in environmental issues with the curriculum taught in the classroom," said PTHS Principal Jon Kilgore. "Anytime the kids can make real world connections through learning and see how it works and that they can make a difference is a plus."
One student who has made such a real-world connection is Greg Harms, who was on hand to discuss what he's learning about renewable energy.
"There was a show about a town called Greenville, I think it's in Arkansas, that is in tornado alley and a tornado came through and took out the town. Basically wiped it clean," Harms said. "Now it's one of the greenest towns in the United States. It lives up to its name. They use alternative fuels and wind and solar energy.
"We talk about things like that and I've learned a lot," he added. "On a cloudy day you'd be surprised how much energy a solar panel can provide. To think that if we double that we're flirting with powering all of the science classes is pretty amazing."
At the school's Web site, there's a section called Solar Panel Data that can be accessed. It provides detailed information about how much energy the solar panel creates by the day, week or month. Thus far, since tracking began in April, it has reduced the school's levels of carbon dioxide production by 755 pounds. It has created enough energy to power six houses for a day or to operate a television for 2,641 hours.
According to school officials, a second bank of solar cells would double its output and provide enough energy to power every science classroom for the day. They also discussed the possibility of utilizing wind energy in the future.
"It's not far out of the question," said District 90 Superintendent Leo Johnson of adding wind power. He noted that Bureau Valley and other school districts have done it. "It's another way of giving us the best and most relevant technology out there."
By utilizing such educational tools, school officials hope to have Pontiac students and the high school remain one of, if not the, top renewable technology schools in Illinois and the nation.
"Having the technology to show our students how to utilize it furthers our goal of being the No. 1 energy and fuel efficient school in the nation," said Ritter. "Where it goes from here only time will tell. We hope to eventually do our part to help offset ever-rising power costs and educate students and the community to look into these things and how they can help."
Article Sources:http://www.pontiacdailyleader.com/articles/2008/06/05/news/news3.txt
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