SOLAR TODAY - November/December 2009

new energy | for and about students and emerging solar professionals
California high school Forms solar academy

La Mirada High School of Southeast Los Angeles County can now prepare students for careers in renewable energy. The school recently received a first-of-its-kind three-year Green Academy grant from the California Department of Education.

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Solar Energy Academy coordinator and teacher Norma Williamson (standing) talks with academy students (left to right) Amber Herrera and Ana Maria Castro; Mrs. Castro, a parent volunteer; and Aleria Castro, an elementary school student.

The grant begins at $42,000 for the first year, increasing each of the next two years. The school has used it to establish the Reach for the Sun Solar Energy Academy. The program is designed to transition students to post-secondary education in renewable energy and to prepare them for careers in the rapidly growing field.

For the past five years, students at La Mirada have celebrated Bike/Walk to School

Day and Earth Day and have worked with solar ovens and other forms of renewable energy. With the new funding, the modest solar education program will grow into a more formal institution. Funds will provide more hands-on solar projects, more teachers and expanded subject matter. During the 2011–2012 academic year, the school will offer a solar energy class jointly with Golden West College for both high school and college credit.

This fall, approximately 60 10th graders are completing green energy projects at the solar academy. They will construct small solar demonstration houses, solar-powered bikes and a life-sized boat that will compete against other high schools. La Mirada has 19 industry and educational partners, including Ed Begley Jr., Plug In America and U.S. Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.). Working with these partners, students will learn about renewable energy in the professional world. To learn more about the program, go to the “Smaller Learning Communities” and “Energy Club” sections at lamiradahighschool.com.