Solar Workshop
Recently a Walmart Foundation Solar Schools workshop brought teachers, sponsors, and industry leaders together to promote energy education in Minneapolis Public Schools. The workshop was hosted by the National Energy Education Development (NEED) and the Foundation for Environmental Education, thanks to a grant from The Walmart Foundation. The workshop celebrated the completion of 5-killowatt rooftop solar installations on four Minneapolis schools: Olson Middle School, Pillsbury Elementary, Seward Montessori and South High School.
Minneapolis Public Schools science and technology teachers attended the training program to learn how to best use the solar installations and online solar data in their classrooms. The Walmart Foundation sponsored online data monitoring as part of the solar installations and provided hands-on Science of Energy and Exploring Solar Energy NEED kits to all participating teachers. Educators learned about the science of solar , generation of electricity from photovoltaics, and how to integrate this new knowledge into classrooms of all grades and with students of all learning styles. Participants toured Pillsbury Elementary’s photovoltaic solar installation and had a question and answer with Green Circuit, the solar installation company for the schools. While touring the installation, teachers saw first-hand how the panels generated electricity as well as how the panels performed in Minnesota. All panels had shed the snow from earlier that day. During question and answer teachers learned more about the solar industry, the specifics of each school’s installation and the impact solar energy can have on their schools and communities. Participants asked excellent questions about solar on their own homes too.
Minneapolis was honored earlier in 2010 as one of the five solar cities, selected by the Walmart Foundation, NEED and the Foundation for Environmental Education. The four solar schools , teacher training, and corresponding curriculum are a part of the partnership’s extraordinary investment in energy education.
Walmart Solar Schools Minneapolis
Walmart Solar Schools Minneapolis
Walmart Solar Schools Minneapolis
Walmart Solar Schools Minneapolis
Walmart Solar Schools Minneapolis