Fairbanks, Alaska—Wind for Schools, a nationwide program connecting schoolchildren to green energy will get its start in Alaska Friday, Nov. 6 at Sherrod Elementary School in Palmer. Installation of the program’s first wind turbine will begin at 9:15 a.m.

The Alaska Center for Energy and Power at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is leading the Wind for Schools program in Alaska, along with partners Renewable Energy Alaska Project and the National Renewable Energy Lab. The program is part of the federal Department of Energy and matches elementary schools with universities. Schools host a small wind generator and implement a corresponding curriculum, while college students provide the technical knowledge and support.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Palmer residents and students as well as for the university,” said ACEP director Gwen Holdmann. “The Wind for Schools program helps students develop a knowledge base and skill set in science and energy and supports workforce development and community involvement for students in elementary school through college.”

Sherrod Elementary’s proactive approach and motivated staff made the school a natural choice to launch the program in Alaska.

“This program will provide students with a way to explore basic ideas about energy in a hands-on environment,” said Mark Hoffman, principal of Sherrod Elementary. “We look forward to what the kids will take home and out into the world from this experience.”

ACEP and its partners are planning to expand the program to 10 Alaska schools over the next year and are seeking funding through the state’s Renewable Energy Fund.

CONTACT: Kat Keith, coordinator, at 907-590-0751 or kmkeith@alaska.edu. Julie Estey at 907-474-1144 or julie.estey@alaska.edu.

Wind Powering America sponsors the Wind for Schools Project which is intended to raise awareness of the benefits of wind in rural communities.  A cookie cutter approach is used, to the greatest extent possible, in order to keep a basic and common configuration for all schools.  This includes the installation of a small wind turbine, specifically the SkyStream 3.7,  at a K-12 school.  A curriculum which matches the SkyStream wind turbine has already been established and utilizes the NEED program.  There are numerous schools throughout the state of Alaska which are in the planning phases of implementing the Wind for School program into their school.  In every state a Wind Energy Center is utilized to monitor and provide technical assistance to the schools as needed.  WiDAC has already assumed this role and will continue to promote and encourage this program.