New program brings solar panels, and education, to schools


Johnson Controls will install solar photovoltaic panels at 73 different Utah schools.

With energy efficiency becoming a universal concern, it seems natural that the conversation should move to schools. Johnson Controls’ Solar for Schools program brings the focus to the scientific application of solar energy both inside and outside of the classroom.

Solar for Schools has been enacted throughout Utah to teach students “the value of renewable energy first hand.” Johnson Controls was selected by the Utah State Energy Program to install solar photovoltaic panels at 73 different schools throughout the state, with at least one set-up in each school district.

The program also includes an educational component, and now Johnson Controls is rolling out the initiative nationwide as well.

“The overall goal for Solar for Schools is to touch every student in the state as they go through the K-12 program, inform them about renewable technologies and how they work, and to try and increase interest in engineering, math, and sciences,” said Bruce Munson, a Johnson Controls representative.

For more on STEM education:

Solving the STEM Education Crisis

More news about solar power in education:

Solar power making a comeback among schools

The installation of the panels accompanies an energy education curriculum, in which students can track live data from the solar panels but also learn about solar, wind, and geothermal technologies.

Laura Wheeler, a teacher at Morgan Middle School, said that the labs are equally suitable for a variety of age groups.

“The teachers had so much fun doing it [that] they didn’t want to stop,” Wheeler said. “I tried it out on third graders to see if the labs would work for elementary, and the kids had a blast with it. The same labs that we were able to do as teachers, little third graders had so much fun with—as well as secondary kids, so they can be used at any level.”

While the panels are not yet installed at Wheeler’s school, she spoke to the importance of the program itself.

“I think [students] look at solar panels or windmills as futuristic or something that doesn’t apply to them,” Wheeler said. “I think by actually bringing them into the schools and letting them have access to it, that it’s not so far removed anymore. What they realized is that it’s technology for them today.”

Munson agreed that the real-world application contributes to the enjoyment of the curriculum.

For more on STEM education:

Solving the STEM Education Crisis

More news about solar power in education:

Solar power making a comeback among schools

“I remember thinking to myself [when I was in school], ‘Why do I need to know the area under a curve?’ I couldn’t figure out why it had any relevance at all,” Munson recalled. “[Solar for Schools] really can tie a subject like calculus, which, in my opinion, made no sense at all when I was in school, to an applicable situation you’ll use in the world.”

Wheeler said the program’s hands-on activities keep students’ interest in the lessons.

“You’re creating a life-long learner, not someone who’s just quickly memorizing facts so they can do well on the test, but someone who has experiences with it,” she said.

She said she hopes that students will take their learning home with them in order to increase community use of alternative energy sources.

Meanwhile, Munson said the U.S. economy needs engineers who know how to increase energy efficiency.

“Here in Utah, we have open positions for engineers who are qualified, engineers who know about energy efficiency and know about energy, and we can’t find those people,” Munson said. “We’ve hired some 14,000 people over the last year. … We need engineers. If we found someone who was qualified, we would hire them.” He said he hopes the program will encourage students to pursue careers in the engineering field.

While Solar for Schools is still extremely new, with the first teacher training just completed in March and some of the 73 schools still awaiting their solar panel installations, educators hope it will pique students’ interest in STEM fields.

“There’s just an excitement that comes. The kids are so excited about it, and I’m just really glad that a company is willing to step up and share that excitement with us,” Wheeler said.

Solar for Schools is funded by a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

For more on STEM education:

Solving the STEM Education Crisis

More news about solar power in education:

Solar power making a comeback among schools

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