This story was written by one of the PG&E Solar Schools Program’s most enthusiastic teachers, Mr. Greg Holman. We all wish we had a science teacher like him. His story speaks to how his school (including fellow science teacher Mr. Snyder, and equally enthusiastic I might add!) has mobilized the 1kW PV system, integrated a variety of projects at the school, and sparked an energy revolution in Paradise, CA.

Story submitted by Greg Holman
6th grade Science

Evergreen 6 is program with 96 sixth graders. We are located about an hour and a half north of Sacramento, in the foothill town of Paradise California. We are extremely fortunate to have received one of the PG&E solar installation grants. This addition to our school has created great enthusiasm about this alternative energy. Evergreen 6 has incorporated our 1 kw solar array into many of our projects. Here are some of the things we have done:

• Students used the PG&E Energenius program and NEED energy units to better understand energy, audit our school energy use, and audit home energy use. Students determined and implemented energy saving strategies. (Some even negotiated with parents to earn a portion of the monthly savings.)
• Students created a list of questions they had about solar energy. They researched the answers and then presented to neighboring 3rd graders. Below, Evergreen students are playing a game where 3rd graders try to guess the watts used by common appliances. This was used to help them understand how much energy we use, what our array can potentially and realistically power, and the importance of conservation. Winning answers were awarded Sunny Delight, Capri-Sun, and Sun Chip prizes. Students also taught the 3rd graders about the system, and the data monitoring. Teachers teach students, who in turn become the teachers.

• Students share our gift from PG&E with the local media. Students create and paint signs that help direct people to our website: www.evergreen6.us for more information.

• Students design and built a retaining wall around our solar array. This area we are developing into a focal point of our school. This reinforces the concept learned from the Foundation for Environmental Education: solar should be seen!

• Students have a contest to determine/ estimate when our array will hit landmarks. (500kwh, 1000kwh…)
• Students gather around our array – with the new brick wall nearly completed.

Again, we feel so fortunate to have this gift at our school. With all of the focus on the various aspects of energy, an amazing thing has happened. Students and staff alike have become very energy conscious. Automatically turning off lights and computers when they leave a room. Unplugging appliances over the summer months. In fact, I estimate we have saved much more power than we have generated. Education has been able to accomplish as much as thousands of dollars worth of equipment, in effect doubling the impact of our array!

There was a bit of drizzle (no comparison to the snow that much of the rest of the country is seeing), but the show went on…and industrious spirits found a way to make the most of what nature offered. A little intermittent rain was no match for the students, and faculty of Alvarado Elementary as they celebrated their PG&E Solar Schools project. The event and solar project was aptly articulated by San Francisco Unified School District Superintendent Chan via a Chinese proverb- “Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.” We likely won’t know for a few years how many students, and community members near Alvarado Elementary will take their next steps within energy…but we know there are many steps that can, and need to be taken…even on a rainy day one can be energized for what doors will soon be opened. Superintendent Chan’s reference reminded me of my favorite Chinese proverb (which is a theme for any energy seed project): “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Some students of Alvarado Elementary presented hand-made awards to the incoming San Francisco schools on behalf of the PG&E Solar Schools Program, which will be getting their very own 1kW solar installation in the coming months.

After remarks were made by Principal Barresi, Superintendent Chan, Ophelia Basgal (PG&E VP vice president of Civic Partnerships and Community Initiatives), and Hydra Mendoza, Mayor’s Education Advisor, Member Elect, SF Board of Education, the students, faculty, and guests went in for some hands-on solar applications. Barry Scott, our teammate from NEED, was there to entertain and inspire students with solar beads and a variety of solar gadgets that are part of the PG&E Solar Schools Program offerings. PG&E Mascot Helmet was also there to mingle with the students.

Here are the next San Francisco schools that will be getting their very own 1kW system as a part of the PG&E Solar Schools Program…we look forward to opening doors, and fishing with you soon-

1. Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School
2. A.P Giannini Middle School
3. Presidio Middle School
4. Frank McCoppin Elementary School
5. Balboa High School
6. Life Learning Academy
7. Lakeshore Elementary School

We encourage our teachers to take advantage of PG&E’s teacher training soon, too! To look for upcoming workshops near you, go here – http://www.need.org/pgesolarschools/ssc.htm.

When fifth-grade teacher Belinda Solorazano decided to attend one of Anaheim Public Utilities’ Solar Energy Education for Educators Workshop last year, she had no idea of the personal impact the workshop would have. “I’ve taken the sun for granted for too long,” Belinda recalls, “and now I intend to use the sun’s energy.” The workshops were offered to promote solar energy technology acceptance and to increase solar energy installations in the City of Anaheim. Besides the day-long education session that emphasized a California standards-based curriculum addressing solar energy, educators also received information tools and lab kits to use in their classrooms. “The kits are jam-packed with the essentials for making a meaningful connection to all students, especially our English language learners,” notes Belinda. “This workshop was extremely beneficial to me in that it increased my comfort level, especially in regard to the content.”

The two-year Public Solar Energy Education Project was completed by Anaheim Public Utilities in 2006. Anaheim received a $50,000 Million Solar Roofs Initiative Grant to help in the funding. Then, with partners from the Rahus Institute and the Foundation for Environmental Education, Anaheim Public Utilities was able to conduct four teacher workshops and develop a Web-accessible “Video Tour of Renewable Energy in Anaheim.” The Web site features a solar energy tour that introduces users to the various solar energy systems installed throughout the city. Included are the different technologies, and sizes and power production of the systems. The Web site won a Communicator Award of Distinction for excellence in video production and can be accessed through the city Web site at www.anaheim.net.

Since the project started, four schools have installed solar energy systems on their campuses with the assistance of funding by Anaheim Public Utilities. The most recent is a 1.05-kW educational system installed at Dr. Jonas Salk Elementary School. The system has a data acquisition system that is Web-accessible for students as well as the public. Dr. Debra Von Sprecken, the school principal, says, “Our students are very excited about the system. They understand the concept and purpose of solar energy, and they are excited about monitoring how it will affect the energy consumption at our school.” The increase in solar energy systems in educational environments is proof that getting into the classroom can advance solar energy acceptance. Salk Elementary sent three educators to the project workshops, and they have all embraced the overall goals of the project. “I think the partnership is invaluable,” Dr. Von Sprecken says. “It is mutually beneficial and, certainly, we need to begin educating the students in the primary grades and make them more aware of our habits. By working together, we can make a huge difference in our environment and in our whole world.”Tomas Colunga (left) of Servite High School, Joan Kawase (middle) of St. Anthony Claret, and Sean Phi (right) of Loara High School work together to monitor volts and amps from solar energy panels included in the Educator lab kits.

City of Anaheim Video Tour of Renewable Energy can be accessed at http://www.anaheim.net. Dr. Debra Von Sprecken, principal at Dr. Jonas Salk Elementary School, dedicates the 1.05-kW solar energy education system on May 25.

Stephen Faessel (left), Anaheim Public Utilities Board chair, gets help in cutting the ribbon during the solar system dedication. From left are Willie Malpica, Salk student; Tim Thomas, “Teacher of the Year” at Salk and the Magnolia School District; and Dr. Debra Von Sprecken, Salk principal.

Students and teachers of Coulterville School decided to take the knowledge obtained from the solar unit one step further….to take the lessons literally “Beyond the Classroom Window.” Looking at the platform and the solar collection units, they decided to make this area of the school a “Solar Collection & Observation Platform.” Studies will not only surround collection and analysis of data from Sol, but also direct observation via utilization of a solar scope. This, when again enhanced, will take our students into the realm of astronomy. Preparing the platform for use, student began by prepping the area for solar designs. Brushes were pulled out and digging utensils used to remove unwanted vegetation. After several hours of intense labor, they were ready. Multiple colors of paint arrived with the brushes and rollers. Designs, previously developed in the classroom, were brought out for alignment. Nineteen little Leonardo’s began their work with passion and conviction. Of course, every great artist at times becomes so involved in their work that their work becomes a part of them.

The final results of the platform include not only Sol, but also our solar system & space travel:

Students now have the location & ability to compare Sol utilizing computer read-outs of energy from the solar collectors to visual observations and photos.

Of course, this ties directly into our space/flight unit which incorporates their own “Beyond the Classroom Window” activities:

Rocketry – Leading up to the launch of their rocket… to an adventure in Starlab… to

Preparing to fly on a flight simulator… in preparation for…actual flight!

Thank you for helping us make education a real-life adventure.

Coulterville Unit District #1, Dr. Louis E. Obernuefemann, Superintendent

Driving up to Plainfield Elementary in Woodland, CA on a fall day was like driving into an energy oasis in the middle of agricultural heartland. The earth surrounding the school had been tilled awaiting the next set of crops, but in the middle of plots of land, an elementary school was sewing different seeds within the hearts, minds, and souls of their students: a new solar seed and the structure for a greenhouse had sprung up almost overnight with the support of the PG&E Solar Schools Program…but we know the school has been cultivating their garden for many years. We were there to celebrate their latest additions, and look forward to the future.

Principal Barajas spoke with passion and conviction as she discussed her school’s vision, and her team of wonderful teachers, parents, and community members that sustain the efforts of Plainfield Elementary- a “Small School” with “Big Expectations”… Nancy McFadden, Vice President of Governmental Relations spoke on behalf of PG&E, and recognized the true solar champions of Woodland. Plainfield students created and recited essays in their own words, and we all had a sense of what this school and students would continue to create. After the event, we walked over to Plainfield’s inner garden where sun tea, solar cookies, and a bevy of plants and students greeted us. We expect to continue to have our own expectations exceeded, and we look forward to the next set of crops.

I could smell the chocolate on the student’s hand as he came up to grab a solar pencil. His friend next to him had a gooey marshmellow smeared across his face. Obviously, there is nothing like a solar s’more on a nice sunny day in Oakland, especially if you received it from a solar cooking expert at Glenview Elementary.

The whole school turned out last Friday, October 20th, to celebrate their induction to the PG&E Solar Schools Family. And let me tell you, the students and staff at Glenview really know how to throw a party! In addition to the solar s’mores, there were solar art projects, solar demonstartions, and plenty of community leaders to enjoy the festivities. Representatives from the Oakland Unified School District, A representative from the Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Oakland’s Vice Mayor Jean Quan attended the event. All were treated to a solar tour given by 4th grade students.

PG&E Vice President of Civic Partnerships and Community Initiatives, Ophelia Basgal had the opportunity to play “Solar Claus” by presenting the school with an additional $2,500 Bright Ideas grant to purchase new computers so that the students could access the data being produced by their new solar panel, and compare it with others across California. The kids and community were having so much fun, they even stayed a bit after school to soak up all of the excitement…and dream a few new solar dreams.

Story submitted by Karalee Browne