Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/63126
Honeywell Building Solutions to develop and install solar panels producing 680 kilowatts of power in seven of the dis- trict's schools. "When we talk about renewable and nonrenewable energy, it is something real to students," says Carol Kato, a science teacher for grades 1-5. "We've done experiments where we've had a blackout for one hour. Then we see on our computer how much electricity is needed just to have the lights come on. It's amazing to see that dip — and that's a great teaching tool." Kato ties solar energy into the sci- Honored prof preps kids for future jobs. No fuelin'! ence curriculum whenever possible. In her classroom she has a scary-looking monster with a sign around its neck that reads, "Don't be an energy vampire." She uses the prop to emphasize energy-saving methods students can share with their families. For example, students put energy tips on refrigerator magnets at home to serve as reminders. "My magnets say that you should turn off lights when you leave the room, not take long showers, only use the dishwasher when there are tons of dirty dishes, and put on a sweater instead of turn- ing up the heat," student Josephine Lam says. After lunch, Walnut Grove Elementary stu- dents don't dump garbage into a trash can and head back to class. Instead, students line up and carefully separate lunch remains into bins for paper, plastic, aluminum and wet garbage. "More schools should do this," says Kato, Professor John Frala may look like a mad scientist in this photo, but he received the prestigious Green California Community College Summit's 2011 Leadership Award in October. He was honored for his commitment to renewable energy. The Alternative Fuels Technician program coordinator, Frala is a member of the Rio Hondo College Faculty Association. How have you contributed to the greening of the Rio Hondo Community College campus? >> I hold low-cost and no- cost workshops for the community and municipalities in our area by tapping into grants and local funding. We have a recycling program in place, and have qualified for a grant to install four charging stations on campus. We're working with the home energy program to install a wind generator and solar systems. also an APT member. "It makes kids think about the world they are part of and how they can con- tribute to making this a cleaner environment. Environmentalism becomes personal and makes a huge difference in how they think." Kids blossom going GREEN Meanwhile, at Cupertino High School, being environmentally conscious makes students feel better about themselves, says Jason Heskett, a special education teacher. His students, who have mild to moderate learning disabilities, recy- cle most everything. Students started with bottles and cans five years ago and expanded to include cell phones, printer cartridges, juice pouches, chip bags and food scraps from the culinary arts department and cafeteria. Used foodstuffs are put in a worm bin for composting to make fertilizer for the garden. What are your students learning that will make the world a greener place? >> They are learning about our country's dependence on fossil fuels and how to get the most out of energy usage in our daily lives. I introduce students to how our political system helps fund changes and how to support legislation to help the environment. Students have so much power to institute changes in the environment by example, usage and speaking out. How do your students make alternative fuels? >> The most interesting type of fuel students make is biodiesel from algae. The raw enzyme is placed in a 5-gallon container. Using a small pump, carbon dioxide is fed into the bottle along with compounding the light exposure with a plant grow lamp running on a small solar panel. After 10 days I add baking soda and let it grow. After 18 days I get enough algae to manufacture two gallons of biodiesel in the classroom environment. We have had our failures, but most of the time it works. Students like making oil from fryer oil from In-N-Out Burger because the engines we run smell like french fries. 12 California Educator / April 2012