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.


Brought to you by: Deb St. George, Publisher, Agritrax.com



Comments

*Name:
*Email:
Website URL:
Title / Subject:
Hide my email
*Comments:
*
 



Translate Page Into English Translate Page Into Spanish Translate Page Into French Translate Page Into German Translate Page Into Portuguese Translate Page Into Korean Translate Page Into Japanese Translate Page Into Italian

Menu


My Articles

An Alternative Energy Education Method
Geothermal Power As Alternative Energy
Solar Energy Collecting As An Alternative Energy Source
Pursuing Alternative Forms Of Energy
Some Suppliers Of Alternative Energy
How To Seek Grants For Alternative Energy R & D
Wind Power As A Viable Solution To Meeting Alternative Energy Needs
Resources For Alternative Energy
Developing Nuclear Power As Alternative Energy
An Energy Alternative: Free Energy
Alternative Energy In Ireland
Government Grants For Alternative Energy
What Is Alternative Energy
The Ways That The Military Is Using Alternative Energy
Investments In Alternative Energy
University Research Into Alternative Energy
Biofuels As Alternative Sources Of Energy
Jobs In Alternative Energy Fields
Investment Into Alternative Energy Research And Development
Renewable Fuels For Alternative Energy
Alternative Energy From The Ocean
Investing In Alternative Energy Stocks
Consultants On Alternative Energy
Alternative Energy For The Home






My Articles


Renewable Fuels For Alternative Energy The Germans have really taken off when it comes to renewable fuel..


Wind Power As A Viable Solution To Meeting Alternative Energy Needs Although it is much less expensive to initially get..


Alternative Energy Development In Japan Japan is a densely populated country, and that makes the..


Investing In Alternative Energy Stocks Alternative energy stock portfolios are a great part of a modern..



Related Videos:

Related News:

 
Green energy's growing pains - CharlotteObserver.com

    

CBC.ca

Green energy's growing pains
CharlotteObserver.com
The college may add more courses in alternative energy, environmental engineering, sustainable manufacturing and green building. For information, call the ...
Solar power projects approved in OntarioCBC.ca
PSEG rolling out renewable energy plan for New Jerseynewjerseynewsroom.com
DTE Energy signs $18M solar energy contractMetromode Media
India PRwire (press release)
all 66 news articles »



Technology and abundant gas extending the fossil fuel era - Arab News

    

HeatingOil.com (blog)

Technology and abundant gas extending the fossil fuel era
Arab News
Al-Falih went on to warn of the danger of "green bubbles" forming in the alternative energy sector, stressing the need to maintain spending on oil and ...
Energy industry has a greener shade at CERAWeekHouston Chronicle
Chortling At ChuInvestor's Business Daily
Future role of natural gas discussed at Houston energy conferenceTehran Times
HeatingOil.com (blog) -CNBC
all 20 news articles »