Oak Ridge student project produces savings

It's inspiring to see school administrators, classroom teachers and students come together for a good idea.

That happened at Oak Ridge High School this year.

Technology teacher Wayne Bock wanted a way to teach students about light, heat and energy and, at the same time, raise their Missouri Assessment Program test scores on the subject. Superintendent Cheri Fuemmeler was looking for a way to cut back on energy costs. And the Oak Ridge students were eager to do something that would benefit the district.

The solution? The school got a loan from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to make energy-saving adjustments in Oak Ridge school buildings. Bock's students changed light fixtures and bulbs and made other adjustments that should save the district $11,280 a year.

That money will be used to pay energy bills for two new school buildings opening in the fall: the new middle school and multipurpose building.

The district is making better use of taxpayer dollars.

The teacher developed a curriculum to target the subjects he wanted.

The students received a learning opportunity they wouldn't have had otherwise.