For Immediate Release

January 30, 2013/Updated February 1, 2013

PR 07113-Solar Energy

Glassboro Intermediate Students Learn About Solar Energy

Architect George Duthie, of Fraytak Veisz Hopkins Duthie, PC Architects and Planners,
teaches Glassboro Intermediate School Students about Solar Power using the Glassboro School District’s
solar power array at Thomas E. Bowe School as an example.

            

            GLASSBORO – Eighth-grade Gifted and Talented Program students at Glassboro Intermediate School study real-life, energy solutions as they explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiatives. Gifted and Talented Teacher Mary Aruffo believes that tangible examples are effective in creating rich, relevant learning opportunities for students.

This January, architect George Duthie, of Fraytak Veisz Hopkins Duthie, PC Architects and Planners, spoke with students on the specifics of solar power. District Business Administrator Walt Pudelko and Supervisor of Buildings, Grounds and Maintenance Drew Sole joined Duthie at the presentation. Duthie captured students’ interest when he discussed solar power facilities in the region, including the Glassboro School District’s solar power array at Thomas E. Bowe School. The array recently became operational. Duthie worked with Glassboro School District representatives and project contractor Ray Angelini, Inc. to plan and implement the solar project. The solar facility at Bowe is expected to produce 589,000 kWh of energy a year and save energy costs for the district. It comes with a kiosk that displays energy information for students. Duthie taught students about solar fundamentals, design principles, and the environmental and educational benefits of Bowe's new solar facility. Duthie taught students about solar fundamentals, design principles, and the environmental and educational benefits of Bowe's new solar facility. Students, in turn, demonstrated solar powered, miniature cars for Duthie, Pudelko and Sole following the instruction.

“We are pleased to bring the real life application of solar principles, and especially its use at Thomas Bowe School, into the classroom for the children of Glassboro,” said Duthie.

            Aruffo remarked,"Providing this kind of opportunity helps to show the students the relevance of what they are learning about (solar energy) and that the use of solar exists right in their own district."

            Aruffo’s students also gained a firsthand look at wind and solar energy facilities when they took a December field trip to the Atlantic County Utilities Authority.

            “While visiting the wind turbine farm and water treatment facility there, students not only saw a solar panel field installed next to a parking lot, but they also saw solar panels installed above the parking lot,” said Aruffo.

            Glassboro School District will usher in additional learning opportunities when it opens the Glassboro STEM Academy. The Glassboro STEM Academy, slated to open in the 2013/2014 school year, is a program open to applicants throughout the region through the NJ School Choice Program. Seventh through twelfth grade Glassboro STEM Academy students will receive advanced instruction, culminating in opportunities for coursework at Rowan University during their junior and senior years.