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Give Our Students the Tools to Succeed
SUPPORT WHITES CREEK HIGH SCHOOL
Your support of the WCHS Solar Energy Project is needed for the completion of the high profile solar array at the school site that will give the students and the community a sense of accomplishment and serve as a catalyst to strive for more. As part of the WCHS Solar Energy Project community, your support is critical as a catalyst toward connecting communities of color to the economic opportunities of the future. Monetary support can be given at www.gofundme.com/wchssolar. Thanks in advance. You are appreciated.
THE METHOD
For this project, we introduced some solar curriculum and had an experiential day with solar industry professionals and site visits to the Music City Center, Adventure Science Center and the solar and wind demo site at Love Circle. The events were bookended by a pre and post-survey with the intent of measuring the learning goals: 1)Inform and educate on solar energy as a resource to address energy needs, 2) Inform and educate on the green economy and the solar energy industry, 3) Inform and educate on the technical application of building a solar array, 4) Measure awareness and attitude toward careers in the solar energy industry.
WHY SOLAR?
Enough solar energy falls on the Earth's surface in one hour to power all of human civilization for a year. It is the freest available abundant resource that the planet receives every day. The solar industry produces 16.7 jobs per $1 million dollars invested versus 5.3 jobs with the same amount invested in coal. With regard to the green economy, photovoltaics (solar PV) is the most disruptive of all renewable energy technologies.
WHITES CREEK HIGH SCHOOL (WCHS)
The Academy of Alternative Energy, Sustainability and Logistics
As a small, community high school, Whites Creek offers a positive, supportive environment that puts the focus on students’ needs. Our students belong to distinguished, nationally recognized model career academies: Ninth Grade Academy; the Academy of Alternative Energy, Sustainability, and Logistics; the Academy of Education and Law; and the Academy of Community Health. All students begin in the Freshman Academy. As sophomores, students may choose one of our Academies and a corresponding pathway, including Automotive Technology, Community Health, Entrepreneurship, Law, or Teaching as a Profession K-12.
THE NEED
ENVIRONMENT ↔ AFRICAN AMERICANS
African American unemployment has been double that of whites for the last six decades. On November 29, 2014, African American unemployment in Nashville was 15%; 18% for males. Simultaneously, the green economy is exploding with stable, local jobs and multiple career paths. The Solar Foundation reports that 0% of African-Americans in TN are employed in the solar industry. This project uses community assets to educate and measure student awareness and interest in connecting to the green economy through a career in the solar industry.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The project explored the community assets of Whites Creek's Academy of Alternative Energy, Sustainability & Logistics, Whites Creek Community Club, government, and corporate partners to understand the interest level of students of color in solar technology as a component of the green economy.
