East Tennessee Students Get a Lesson in Harnessing the Sun

ORAU Partners with Outpost Solar to Give Students a Glimpse into Math and Science at Work in the Energy Sector

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FY10-15
Dec. 4, 2009

OAK RIDGE, Tenn.—Fourth-grade students from Jefferson County’s White Pine and Rush Strong Schools visited Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ (ORAU) Center for Science Education today to participate in a live demonstration of the Armored Modular Solar (AMS-5) powered generator developed by privately owned Outpost Solar, LLC. Originally intended for military use in the desert, this 24-paneled, bullet-resistant solar array provides students with a tangible link between what they learn in math and science class and how it applies to the real world. Marie Westfall of ORAU’s Center for Science Education noted that “this is a way to show students possibilities… to inspire them to think differently about what they already know about science.” After the demonstration, students applied alternative energy concepts learned in the solar array presentation to operate miniature, solar-powered cars and to participate in other energy-focused lessons in the Center for Science Education’s technology classroom.