GOOD WORKS
Mr. Kelly’s presentation covered Alberta’s microgeneration policy and how the solar export market works. The entrepreneur also let students know that the solar radiation falling on the province is actually Alberta’s largest known energy reserve. “I wanted them to learn that it’s possible in Alberta for solar to be part of the energy mix — to help them think about where their energy comes from, and think about ways they can reduce their energy use.” Other presenters explained geothermal energy and hydropower to the students — expected topics in any conversation about energy and sustainability. Less discussed, perhaps, is what Dean Jones, P.Geoph., had to say. Mr. Jones, Principal Investigator, Architectural Ecology, with SAIT Polytechnic’s Green Building Technology Access Centre, spoke about rainwater collection systems. He had students build their own rainwater harvesting systems for miniature model homes, using straws, plastic cups of various sizes, and other small parts. “Then we came around with jugs of water, acting as the thunderstorms, and poured water on the tops of their houses to see how much water they could collect in their systems,” says Mr. Jones. He also taught them about green roofs and other ecological ways to bring nature back into built environments. “It was a great opportunity to connect with children — our future. It's great to expose them to progressive topics, which they may end up applying in their lives.”
FUTURE ENERGY A tour of TransAlta’s Summerview Wind Farm near Pincher Creek in southern Alberta gives this student of Westmount Charter School — and others — a face-to-turbine experience. Students got to go inside a turbine to see how it tracks the wind and learn about how much energy it produces. -photo by Cayley Webber
CATCH SOME RAYS — CATCH SOME RAIN
that there is a lot of hope in clean energy, to counterbalance some of the negative things we hear about in the news or even at school, particularly about fossil fuels,” says Dr. Weis. Dave Kelly, P.Eng., the CEO of Skyfire Energy CEO, brought solar panels to the school so students could see how they work. He started off his presentation by asking students what electricity is — and was impressed by the answers, “One kid put up his hand and started talking about nucleus and valence electrons,” he says with a laugh. “It was rewarding to see the enthusiasm, intelligence, and thoughtfulness of this Grade 4 class.”
CREATE A PLAN, DEFEND A PLAN
Tim Weis, P.Eng., PhD, formerly with the Canadian Wind Energy Association, visited Westmount to help students better understand wind turbine technology. He taught them about the components of wind turbines, explained how they’re built and why they’re so big, and talked about the benefits and challenges of wind power. Students also got to assemble a model turbine and take it outside, seeing firsthand how wind creates power. “I wanted to let the students know that there will be real job options for them in re- newable energy when they’re grown up and
As part of the climate change lessons taught by Ms. McGarrigle, students played the Stabilization Wedges Game — modified for Alberta and a Grade 4 context. The game is a product of the Carbon Mitigation Initiative of Princeton University. Working in groups, students were tasked with creating and defending 35-year climate change action plans. They were given 13 options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions but could choose only six per plan. “The kids had to explain why they choose their strategies and how
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