An Alternative Energy Education Method
The best method of educating young people about
alternative energy production that this writer has ever witnessed is the
use of the PicoTurbine Company's kits, books, and projects. The
PicoTurbine Company produces these things for the purpose of advancing
the cause of renewable (alternative) energy and getting young people to
look into the future and see that the environment that's being seeded
now is the one they will inherit then. As the late, great Gerry Ford
said, “Things are more like they are now than they have ever been
before.” If we are to change the future world for the better, then it
starts right here and now with the advent of “green” energy systems.
One of the core concepts of PicoTurbine can be stated: Tell me, and I
will forget. Show me, and I might remember some of it. Involve me, and I
will master it. Based on this old tried and true adage, the kits that
the company produces come with activity suggestions to get the young
people into hands-on learning situations. One suggestion of the company
is to demonstrate how heat can be produced by wind energy (the company's
specialty) through using a “picture wire” for the heating element.
PicoTurbine has found that people typically think of wind energy as
being “cold” energy, and are pleasantly surprised to see how wind can be
used for generating heat in the home. Another project suggestion that
the company offers is to have different groups split off in the
classroom and then compare their respective wind turbines that they have
built. They can see which ones produce the most or least electricity;
which ones start up with need of the least amount of wind power; and for
very young children, which ones have the most aesthetic appeal.
There is a core curriculum that PicoTurbine has in mind for teachers to
instill in their pupils. Renewable, alternative sources of energy
include solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass in addition to
wind-produced energy. When we use more alternative sources of energy, we
decrease our nation's dependence on foreign oil supplies, which often
come from nations who cannot really be called our “allies”. Alternative
energy is already becoming cost effective when set against the fossil
fuels that we are so reliant on currently.
PicoTurbine points out that wind farms and solar arrays are already
letting their makers enjoy commercial success. In the last two decades,
the cost of photovoltaic cells expressed in terms of per-watt has gone
from nearly $1000 to just $4! It has been predicted by analysts that by
the year 2015, the cost per watt should only be about $1 (in today's
dollars). Students also need to be taught about the hidden cost of
fossil fuels: pollution and environmental degradation. Air pollution
from burning fossil fuels has been shown through studies to increase
incidences of asthma attacks, heighten the effects of allergies, and
even cause cancer. Switching over to clean, green energy found in the
alternative forms would prevent air pollution and help bolster the
environment.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters, portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop online at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
a great selection online at the lowest prices anywhere. We can also be
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