The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is providing science and energy education grants to nonprofit organizations, schools and others to support the education of students in grades K-12 about the energy systems of the Pacific Northwest.
According to the BPA, the goal of the program is to advance students' understanding, awareness and interest in the issues and science involved in energy generation and transmission in the region.
Funded projects could focus on hydroelectricity, wind and other sources of electric power, methods of conserving electricity, studies of energy and environment, programs on engineering and technology skills relating to energy, and others.
The BPA anticipates making four to 10 grants ranging from $500 to $5,000.
According to the BPA, wind-related recipients of the 2014-2015 BPA Science and Energy Education Grants include the Dufur School, located in Dufur, Ore. The BPA awarded the school $2,000 to fund the Dufur Ranger Energy Generation Challenge. These funds enabled students at this small rural school to conduct a four-month study of different sources of renewable energy, as well as construct, test and modify models of hydroelectric, wind turbine and solar fuel cells.
The BPA also recognized the Sustainable Living Center, based in Walla Walla, Wash., with $4,362 to support energy-related curriculum. The funds were used on a project that transformed fifth graders in the Walla Walla Public Schools into energy instructors.
The students received a series of eight weekly lessons outside of regular classroom time on hydroelectricity, wind, solar, gas and nuclear energy, the future of energy generation, and challenges with energy production in the region, notes the BPA.
