Project ReCharge is a virtual class provided by Envirolution, out of Reno, NV. College of the Atlantic Director of Energy and instructor of energy systems and building science David Gibson hosted a group of Maine educators on campus to go through the program together, alongside similar groups of educators tuning in virtually from across the country.
Energy Consumption – Illuminating the Unknown
The program places a strong emphasis on helping students—in this case, teachers from all over Maine —to understand how everyday actions like the flick of a switch or the twist of a thermostat directly impact energy consumption. While it’s easy to overlook these small actions, when viewed collectively, they can account for a substantial portion of a home’s total energy usage.
It also provides teachers with the curriculum required to bring these lessons back to their classrooms, making climate change and sustainability a more hands-on topic. Ellis Dixon, a 9th grade science teacher at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School had this to say about taking the curriculum back to their classroom:
“I am really excited for all of the materials that Project ReCharge is giving us… My students will be able to make wind turbines and analyze mini solar panels and so much more. I am really excited for my students to be so enthusiastic about the class that they will be talking to their friends and family at home about what they are doing.”
