One Million Students — New Solar Education Program

May 18th, 2012 by Zachary Shahan

The SunPower Foundation and One Million Lights, a Palo Alto-based nonprofit that provides solar lighting to rural communities around the world, have just teamed up to launch One Million Students, a solar energy education program for K-12 schools.

“The program provides educators with grade-appropriate curriculum structured to increase student understanding of how solar works and how it is being applied to generate clean, renewable energy in locations around the world.”

How I wish such a program existed when I was a kid!!

“The One Million Students program features three, one-hour lesson plans which highlight real-life case studies on solar technology use worldwide along with interactive learning tools including solar-powered LED lights and solar electricity testing kits. Teachers can choose curriculum based on specific education levels: elementary school, middle school or high school. Plans can be integrated into existing environmental studies, math and science courses, and delivered by SunPower or One Million Lights representatives.”

If you’re a student or teacher looking to find out more, check out the One Million Students “Act Now” page.

Source: One Million Lights
Image Credits: One Million Students

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Tags: clean energy education, education, one million lights, one million students, quickies, solar education, Sunpower, sunpower foundation

About the Author

Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Frank-Luke/100002464576512 Frank Luke

is this something we can believe? I heard that if solar panels were laid down in a small % of the Sahara Desert, that would be enough energy to supply Europe.

If true, what’s stopping the US from laying down panels in some of our deserts? Are ecologists trumping that idea or what?

Anybody can talk about this that knows?
- Bob_Wallace
  
  We’re installing panels in the US desert. And installing thermal solar plants. You can read about some of the Mojave Desert installations here…
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_plants_in_the_Mojave_Desert
  
  Solar panels somewhat make more sense on rooftops than in deserts. That avoids the need to transmit the power. Furthermore the panels end up distributed over a larger area which tends to smooth out variations caused by passing clouds.
  
  Where solar (as well as wind and geothermal) are being installed in the desert ecologists are involved to insure that the places chosen are the most appropriate, and not highly important lands that need to be conserved.