You may not automatically associate Intermediate School and solar energy, but a teacher at Sand Creek Intermediate has done just that. Jennifer Suskovich has secured foundation funding for such a project.  Her students will be using a solar energy to power lights in their own classroom.

The solar project was recognized at the November 20th HSE School Board meeting.

Here is a description of the project from the HSE Schools Foundation news release:

Students will hypothesize locations that provide maximum amount of energy and then use this data to graph the amount of time solar energy illuminate the classroom versus electricity. Ultimately, Ms. Suskovich hopes students will design a system that moves with the sun and provides the maximum amount of solar energy to power the classroom.     

This specific philanthropy project was created through the HSE Schools Foundation and funded by two members of the Fishers City Council, Todd Zimmerman and Eric Moeller.  The fund is aimed at providing high school students with a hands on, real-world community service experience while also benefiting local schools and educators. Students are challenged to work through key learning issues such as conflict of interest, assessment of community need, sustainability and consensus building.

“Combining community support, service learning, and an investment in innovation is a win-win for our students and schools” says Freedom Kolb, Executive Director of the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation. “I can’t think of a more unique or impactful partnership.”