Tom Rubottom, (Orcas Montessori), Robin Freeman (Orcas Elementary), Teresa Chocano (Orcas Montessori) and Joanne Coleman-Wester (Waldron Elementary) construct solar cars
by Tina Whitman
Fifteen local educators from Orcas, Waldron and Friday Harbor participated in a solar energy teacher training this past weekend.
The teacher workshop was led by renewable energy curriculum expert Emily Barrett of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) and was offered as part of the Orcas Montessori School’s solar energy and education project which is supported by BEF, OPALCO and community members.
In addition to learning about the basics of energy, solar power and next generation science standards for elementary students, workshop participants completed multiple hands-on activities including the construction of spectroscopes, solar ovens and solar cars.
For more information on the Orcas Montessori School’s renewable school efforts or to make a donation, please visit www.orcasmontessori.org.
Tina Whitman is the Science Director for Friends of the San Juans
(Orcas Montessori), Robin Freeman (Orcas Elementary), Teresa Chocano (Orcas Montessori) and Joanne Coleman-Wester (Waldron Elementary)
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Great news! Any chance of a public class like this being offered? I’d take it!