May 16, 2008 —The Lamkin Elementary School Student Council gathered at CFISD’s Science Resource Center (SRC) on Friday to participate in the TXU Energy Solar Academy—a program that brings solar technology and energy lessons into the classroom.

In partnership with the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project, the program included the installation of a 1-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system at the SRC that converts sunlight into electricity.

Barry Scott, program coordinator for NEED, led the academy for the Lamkin students, demonstrating how to use the online monitoring tool that provides real-time data of the amount of electricity generated by the solar panels.

TXU and NEED representatives also showed the students how to make solar bracelets with beads that changed color in the sunlight, solar cookies baked in “solar ovens,” solar visors and solar prints that traced the students’ handprints on paper.

“I thought it was really cool when we saw how the colors changed because of the sun,” said Lamkin fifth-grade student Desiree Flores. “We learned that it’s easier to use the sun for our energy. I’m going to tell my parents to buy a house with solar panels.”

Barbara Cobaugh, coordinator of elementary science, said the program will benefit CFISD students for years to come.

“We have had energy conservation as a part of our curriculum for a long time, but this is relative to life as far as what we can do to conserve energy,” she said. “As we document the results from the PV system, the kids will truly be amazed at how much energy we will save here at the SRC.”

Barbara Cobaugh, CFISD coordinator of elementary science, shows Lamkin Elementary School students how to make a solar print.

Lamkin students Thad Milton and Britney Wilhelm experiment with a solar-powered miniature fan.

John Detzel, TXU vice president of large commercial and industrial markets, and Roy Sprague, CFISD assistant superintendent for facilities and construction, cut the ribbon on the new photovoltaic system at the Science Resource Center while joined by two Lamkin students.

National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project program coordinator Barry Scott shows Lamkin students how the photovoltaic system works.

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