EcoEKY: Green News from Eastern Kentucky

from the Lexington Herald Leader:

School project generates student interest in 'green' jobs

The Associated Press


RUSSELL, Ky. -- An eastern Kentucky school is generating student interest in "green jobs" by using more alternative energy sources.

The Russell Area Technology Center plans to install six solar panels on the roof of an outbuilding next week, teacher Doug Keaton said. Students installed a wind turbine at the school a year ago.

The wind and solar systems will be wired into the school's electrical system and will supply enough power to light the technology center building, Keaton said. It is expected to cut about $6,000 per year from the district's electricity bills, Keaton said.

Although the savings is nice, Keaton said the interest generated for students in alternative energy careers is more important.

"These guys are being trained for the green jobs of the future," he said.

Senior Shawn Stephens said he was impressed by what he learned about the cleanliness and cost effectiveness of solar and wind energy.

"This has helped me choose my career path," said Stephens, who plans to attend Shawnee State University and become an environmental engineer.

Junior Jaren Bowen said he learned that alternative energy systems are practical for home applications.

"I didn't think it would work on a small scale," he said. "I thought it would have to be like the huge wind farms. But it's really cost-effective."

which are about the size of a couple of sheets of plywood

Keaton said he plans to share details of his energy science program with educators from technology centers in other Kentucky counties.

Meanwhile, he has been working with physics and science teachers at Russell High School and plans to work with math teacher Carol Stephens in the fall.

Stephens said she will teach trigonometry, which can be used to design and build wind turbines.

"I can associate the math with the practical applications," she said.