Learning Solar Energy At School Is A Lot Of Fun At My Nephew's Michigan Green School
by M. Williams
(Michigan)
My nephew had a blast learning solar energy at school. The hot dogs and french fries the kids cooked in their solar cooker were an instant hit!
The Birth Of Michigan Green School Solar Energy School Movement
Recently, my nephew's elementary school applied to the Michigan Green Schools agency to achieve official Michigan Green School status.
- The Michigan Green Schools agency is a non-profit organization established to assist Michigan's schools in their environmental goals.
- Michigan Green Schools was the brainchild of a group of students and teachers in the Hartland Michigan school district who, in 2006, wanted to not only make their own district more environmentally friendly, but all schools in the state as well.
How The Solar Energy School Program Started
The students and teachers developed their plan and proposed their bill to their local Representative in the Michigan House.
It passed the both the Michigan House and Senate votes and was signed into legislation by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm in May of 2006.
Since its inception, over 500 schools have joined in Hartland's initiative to make their districts better for the environment and, in turn, all of its residents.
What It Takes For A School To Get The Michigan Green School Status
For a school to achieve Michigan Green School status, it must first accumulate "Green School Points".
How Green Points Are Allocated
Points are allotted when students and teachers at the school complete certain tasks or implement different initiatives.
To achieve official status as a Green School, 10 points must be earned.
Points can be earned in a variety of ways, including recycling paper, cell phones, printer cartridges and batteries, observing Earth Day, and - what the kids at my nephew's school have found the most fun - conducting solar power experiments.
Kids Had A Lot Of Fun With Cooking With Solar Energy At School
In their solar power experiment they conducted earlier this spring, the kids were given a portable solar cooking kit provided by the Michigan Green Schools agency.
With this kit, the kids were able to make hot dogs, French fries, cookies and brownies all using solar power. All items were cooked to perfection and, much to the delight of the kids, tasted just like it had come from a traditional stove.
The Solar Cooking Experiment Taught The Kids A Lot
With their solar power cooking experiment, the kids were able to learn new techniques to do traditional tasks in a way that is much healthier for the environment.
The Solar Cooking Project Was A Awesome Way To Introduce Solar Energy At School
And they were able to have fun doing it - critical for engaging young minds.
Educating our children on how to be environmentally conscious and responsible not only helps the environment, but also our very communities and the world at large.
- Included in the kit were instructions on how to not only use solar cooking correctly, but also information on how countries in Africa, like Kenya, are using solar cooking to help them battle deforestation.
