An innovative education program centered on renewable energy and conservation is helping students in Northeastern Minnesota re-imagine our energy future—creating a model that can be used across the state.
Established as a pilot program in 2008, Energy Explosion dispels the myth that science education is boring, through a variety of activities specifically designed to get students involved and excited about the material. Some of these activities include student volunteers playing musical instruments such as an electric guitar with an amp and an electric keyboard powered by a photovoltaic (PV) solar array, a biodiesel generator, a small 400 Watt wind turbine, and an energy bike powered by one of their peers.
Energy Explosion classes take place both at the Nature Center and in the schools, by making use of a mobile energy education trailer named Electron.
“The mobility piece was a solution to address the fragmented daily rotation of subjects in middle schools that makes field trips to Hartley logistically difficult,” says Nature Center Executive Director Peter Gravett. “It’s an effective way to overcome a common problem with these unique educational opportunities.”
The program has toured to a variety of schools and programs in Northeastern Minnesota, including Two Harbors High School and the Harvest Festival Energy Fair in Duluth, but Energy Explosion also hopes to expand beyond the northeastern parts of Minnesota and into a state-wide program—let them know if you’re interested in a visit!
Gravett believes many of the best initiatives for change around energy and energy consumption take place at the grassroots level and fundamentally begin with the education of our children.
