Alaska Wind for Schools 

About the Wind for Schools Program:

Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) is the State Facilitator for the Wind for Schools program in Alaska, and led the effort, along with the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP), to have Alaska added in 2010 to the list of 11 states accepted to this national program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America program. The program aims to provide hands-on science education for a wide range of ages, and provide workforce development opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career in renewable energy.

One of the centerpieces of the Wind for Schools program has been helping schools install small turbines at their schools.  As of February 2012, five turbines have been installed with assistance from Alaska Wind for Schools.  The first Alaskan school to install a turbine was Sherrod Elementary in Palmer (see list of other participating schools below).

The Wind for Schools program also includes teacher training and hands-on lessons to educate students about energy. Using wind energy as a keystone, students will learn about energy science, energy sources, climate change, physics, mathematics, and energy. Teachers and students can capture data from the turbine and use it in a variety of classroom experiences and lessons. Many schools participate with curricula even though they do not have a turbine, and the program is working on ways for schools with turbines to share data with other schools around the state.

The Alaska Wind for Schools also is the proud organizer of the KidWind Challenge in Alaska.  First held in 2011, the KidWind Challenge is a wind turbine design contest for students in grades 6-12. Learn more about the challenge here, including updates on the 2012 Challenge.

Links to more information:
Main Alaska Wind for Schools website
Links to Wind for Schools and other energy education curricula
Information about the KidWind Challenge
Upcoming teacher trainings on energy education curricula

The Alaska Center for Energy and Power in Fairbanks and REAP are the two main points of contact for those interested in joining the Alaska Wind for Schools program.

Courtney Munson, Education Director
Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP)
Office 907.929.7770
c.munson@realaska.org
www.REalaska.org

Kimberley Maher, Energy Education Specialist
Alaska Center for Energy and Power, UAF
907.474.6003
kcmaher@alaska.edu
www.akwidac.com