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Special to the Daily Journal/Messenger

Peggy Rutland, 6th grade science teacher at Tamassee-Salem Middle School (left), along with Liza Holder and Amy Childress (right) of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, participate in the Green Power Solar Schools training sponsored by Santee Cooper.

MONCKS CORNER — Roles were reversed this summer as a group of South Carolina educators became students at Santee Cooper’s Conservation of Energy Kit Training for Green Power Solar Schools, joined by members of their local electrical cooperatives.

The Conservation of Energy Kit Training is designed for Santee Cooper’s Green Power Solar Schools, a program the utility operates in partnership with the state’s electric cooperatives. Santee Cooper has dedicated 2-kilowatt solar panels at eight Green Power Solar Schools so far; ultimately there will be one Green Power Solar School in each of the state’s 20 electric cooperative territories.

The solar panel provides a teaching, research and hands-on demonstration opportunity for 6th grade students. Teachers and students use a specially designed conservation of energy curriculum that meets South Carolina Department of Education science standards. The school also receives an Internet-based monitoring system through which students can observe how much electricity is being generated from the solar panel and compare output with solar schools across the state and country. The program helps fulfill Santee Cooper's commitment to reinvest Green Power funds back into renewable resources across South Carolina.

Among the educators and electric cooperative members participating were, Peggy Rutland of Tamassee-Salem Middle High, with Liza Holder and Amy Childress representing Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative.

“The future of electricity is changing and we have to grab the bull by the horns and educate ourselves and our children about what we can do to ensure that we have enough electricity for the future, while protecting the environment.” said Frank Furtick of Edisto Electric Cooperative, who attended the training with teachers from Carver-Edisto Middle School, the Green Power Solar School in that cooperative territory.

In addition to the solar panel, each sixth grade science teacher receives a kit supplied with materials needed for lab activities associated with the instructional program, including materials to build a solar car, for all science students.

“The kit addresses each one of the sixth grade energy standards in a hands-on, fun and exciting way,” said Crystal Hucks, a sixth grade math and science teacher at Aynor Middle School. “The students will benefit because this is actually how they learn best!”

“Hands-on training is critical in order for teachers to successfully and effectively engage students as they learn about renewable energy,” said Barbara Allen, Santee Cooper director of educational programs. “By participating in this kit based training, teachers are able to expand their knowledge of the Conservation of Energy standards through application, maximizing the benefit of being a Green Power Solar School.”

“Green Power Solar Schools is an integral part of Santee Cooper’s ongoing commitment to live green and help others go green,” said Marc Tye, Santee Cooper vice president of conservation and renewable energy. “These demonstrations give the teachers, students and the community a real-life example of the challenges and opportunities associated with generating solar power.”