Notre Dame will use solar panels for teaching energy lessons

Notre Dame Regional High School recently received notice it will be awarded a $2,500 matching grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, in conjunction with AmerenUE, to put solar panels in the school as part of the Missouri Schools Going Solar program.

The Missouri Schools Going Solar program is to educate students, teachers and communities about the importance of electricity as an energy form, the value of renewable solar energy in meeting current and future energy needs and solar energy technologies, the program's Web site says.

The panels may be on the roof or next to the school and will only generate about 1 kilowatt of energy.

This small amount is more to teach students about other renewable energy resources than powering the school, said Brad Wittenborn, Notre Dame assistant principal."I'm just very happy about it, it's a big honor," principal Brother David Migliorino said.

The solar panels will be used in Notre Dame science classes.

Missouri Schools Going Solar will provide a half-day of teacher training for up to 20 teachers at Notre Dame to help teachers incorporate the solar panels into the curriculum and classroom activities.

By teaching students about solar power, Missouri Schools Going Solar hopes to create "solar ambassadors," students who will be able to talk with community members and explain energy issues and solar power technology.

ameyer@semissourian.com

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