An Alternative Energy Education Method

The best method of educating young people aboutmost or least electricity; which ones start up with
alternative energy production that this writer hasneed of the least amount of wind power; and for
ever witnessed is the use of the PicoTurbinevery young children, which ones have the most
Company's kits, books, and projects.aesthetic appeal.
The PicoTurbine Company produces these things forThere is a core curriculum that PicoTurbine has in
the purpose of advancing the cause of renewablemind for teachers to instill in their pupils. Renewable,
(alternative) energy and getting young people to lookalternative sources of energy include solar,
into the future and see that the environment that'shydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass in addition to
being seeded now is the one they will inherit then. Aswind-produced energy. When we use more
the late, great Gerry Ford said, “Things are morealternative sources of energy, we decrease our
like they are now than they have ever beennation's dependence on foreign oil supplies, which
before.” If we are to change the future worldoften come from nations who cannot really be called
for the better, then it starts right here and now withour “allies”. Alternative energy is already
the advent of “green” energy systems.becoming cost effective when set against the fossil
One of the core concepts of PicoTurbine can befuels that we are so reliant on currently.
stated: Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and IPicoTurbine points out that wind farms and solar
might remember some of it. Involve me, and I willarrays are already letting their makers enjoy
master it. Based on this old tried and true adage, thecommercial success. In the last two decades, the
kits that the company produces come with activitycost of photovoltaic cells expressed in terms of
suggestions to get the young people into hands-onper-watt has gone from nearly $1000 to just $4! It
learning situations. One suggestion of the company ishas been predicted by analysts that by the year
to demonstrate how heat can be produced by wind2015, the cost per watt should only be about $1 (in
energy (the company's specialty) through using atoday's dollars). Students also need to be taught
“picture wire” for the heating element.about the hidden cost of fossil fuels: pollution and
PicoTurbine has found that people typically think ofenvironmental degradation. Air pollution from burning
wind energy as being “cold” energy, and arefossil fuels has been shown through studies to
pleasantly surprised to see how wind can be used forincrease incidences of asthma attacks, heighten the
generating heat in the home. Another projecteffects of allergies, and even cause cancer. Switching
suggestion that the company offers is to haveover to clean, green energy found in the alternative
different groups split off in the classroom and thenforms would prevent air pollution and help bolster the
compare their respective wind turbines that theyenvironment.
have built. They can see which ones produce the