Dedication of the WHS Alternative Energy Installation
On Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 10:30am, we celebrated the
completion of a multi-year project to install a wind turbine, solar
panels and weather station at Windham High School. The Endowment,
partnering with WIRE (Windham Initiative for Renewal Energy),
successfully raised $58,000 for the purchase and installation of this
equipment, along with supporting software for use by students and
faculty. Additionally, Boy Scout Troop 266 was a partner in this effort
as the alternative energy installation was the site of an Eagle Scout
Project.
Two original members of WIRE, Michelle Hutchings and Lisa Haswell,
described WIRE and its “Alpha Project” this way:
WIRE was established to bring renewable energy education to our schools
and our community. The first project is the installation of a 45-foot
tall wind turbine that hinges down for student access, a set of
photovoltaic cells at ground level for student research, a weather
system that will provide the tracking and analyzing of wind and solar
power, and computer monitoring systems that will provide detailed energy
data. Our teachers will have the ability to take students to fully
operational sites on campus where they can disassemble and rebuild the
equipment that they hear about in the news, but have never had actual
experience with before now. Students will acquire a complete
understanding of the installation, maintenance and inner workings of
what promises to be the next big job market.
The depth and breadth of value to our schools and to our community is
impressive. Beyond the obvious science and technology opportunities,
math teachers can have students gather data for real life math
applications. English teachers will have a new resource for research
relevant to the daily lives of their students, generating discussions
and writing about the values in the choices we make. The possibilities
are as extensive as our imaginations will carry us. Students will have
the chance to experience education that is hands-on and of clear
relevance to their future. It is endeavors such as this that attract the
talented teachers that we have here in Windham.
The Windham Endowment wishes to thank our entire community for joining
us at this event – members of WIRE, the Windham School Board and
Administration, invited guests, and others – at which we dedicated this
installation on behalf of the many supporters of this project and to the
memory of
Stephen O. Anderson.
Pictures from this event can be found on our
Facebook page.
We thank you all for your generous support and participation!
Windham Endowment for Community Advancement
P.O. Box 4315, Windham NH 03087
Tel: 603.437.0686
Email: ContactWE@windhamendowment.org