Ecology Center — Michigan Renewable Schools Program

Michigan Renewable Schools Program

The Michigan Renewable Schools Program is a coordinated set of programs for Michigan public and private K-12 schools designed to demonstrate energy technologies, raise public awareness, and educate the next generation so that they can fully contribute to meeting and exceeding the 2030 and 2050 carbon reduction targets. These programs include:

Energy Efficiency (EE) Program — Administer 60 Technical Energy Assessments (energy audits) at schools and work with school officials to develop an Energy Action Plan. In addition participating schools will receive an interactive display with energy monitoring, teacher training, and new lesson plans. With the financial projections from the energy audits, Energy Works will help schools seek funding for cost-effective energy efficiency improvements.

Renewable Energy (RE) Program — Install solar PV and/or small wind turbines at 20 schools, including an interactive display, teacher training, and new lesson plans. The online monitoring software will record energy production as well as temperature, isolation, and wind speed/direction for use by teachers in the classroom. The web portal will display information from all participating schools and will be accessible to the general public.

Post-Secondary Program — Foster relationships between Michigan high schools and Michigan institutes of higher education offering established programs in energy efficiency and/or renewable energy. Institutions will involve post-secondary students and faculty in presentations at high schools participating in the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs - raising awareness about post-high school training opportunities and eligibility for green careers in Michigan.

Curriculum Development — Develop new lesson plans tied to the EE and RE Programs and aligned with Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations and High School Content Expectations. Professional development sessions will be provided to help teachers implement the new lessons and become familiar with the solar and/or wind monitoring equipment.

These programs are managed by Energy Works Michigan (Energy Works), which is a project of Recycle Ann Arbor and the Ecology Center. Energy Works is a non-profit technical resource helping to build foundational capacities in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. Energy Works has been awarded a grant by the Michigan Public Service Commission to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures at K-12 schools throughout Michigan. The Michigan Renewable Schools Program is a 2-year program through June 17th, 2011.