School insists on educational element to solar panel installation tenders

A mayor's office in the USA have advertised seeking bids for installing a 15-20 kilowatt solar panel array, estimated to be worth $150,000.

What caught our eye is that one of the requirements of the tender is that the installation must include some 'educational component' - curriculum integration support and classroom materials to help staff include data in their lessons.

Surely one of the best ideas to promote renewable energies amongst tomorrows consumers - integrate real life example into the lesson plans.

Schools across the UK - take note. Read more about this story via the NewburyPort News

photo credit: editorb

Great School DIY Project - Build a solar powered RC Car

After reading on a solar energy forum one users query into building a solar powered RC Car for his school science project, I came across this:

"This is my newly completed Solar RC Car. I built this car to spark interest in competing in a Solar Race in Summer 2009 in the U.S. This project used many off the shelf hobby parts and could be built by a R/C hobbyist with experience in kit building and soldering."

Read more by clicking here.

Now that's what I call an interesting school project.

Have you ever built a school project that used/involved solar energy? Tell us about it below.

Solar Energy Resources for Kids

We came across this great collection of resources for children who want to find out more about solar energy -perhaps a school project, homework or just for fun...

"Solar energy just means energy (light or heat) that comes from the sun. There are as many different ways to use solar energy as you have ideas in your head. What gets you hot lying on the beach on a summer day? Solar energy. What gets your car hot when it's parked in the sun with the windows closed? Solar energy. What makes your solar calculator go? Solar energy. What makes the giant solar panels on satellites work? Solar energy. What makes plants grow? Rain and... solar energy. What makes the clouds that make the rain? You got it! Solar energy. What sets a blade of glass under a magnifying glass on fire? Yup, solar energy. And on and on. "

taken from Solarenergy.org.

photo credit: uriel1998