Longmont, Colo. (Jan. 6, 2009) – Students at Whitmore Lake High School in Whitmore Lake, Mich. are exploring alternative energy sources and their importance to economic stability and sustainability of the earth’s natural resources. The school is providing a year-long program called “Green Tech” through a specially designed technology-based learning lab from Creative Learning Systems, a developer of 21st century learning labs and media production systems for K-12 schools and districts.

The first semester of the program, Green Tech I, is an overview of alternative and renewable energy sources including solar, wind, hydrogen, and geothermal. In Green Tech II, students have the opportunity to explore these areas in more depth, conducting independent research and creating demonstration projects of their own design. In both courses, students engage in extensive hands-on experimentation building solar-powered cars, designing wind-turbine propellers, using hydrogen fuel cells, and cooking with solar ovens.

Students are seeing firsthand the dramatic impact of alternative energy, not only through classroom experiments, but through a tour of the school’s facilities as well. Opened in 2007, Whitmore Lake High School received Silver LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. It’s innovative, environmentally friendly design features a geothermal heat pump system engineered with 47 miles of underground tubing. The school’s location near Ann Arbor and Detroit further underscores the importance of alternative energy education, and preparing students for jobs in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Alternative energy is an increasingly significant factor in the growth of Michigan’s economy as local universities, organizations and businesses invest in energy research and product development.

“We wanted to move alternative energy education beyond the science classroom to make it available to all students, because it is such an critical topic today and to the future of our nation,” said Tom DeKeyser, Whitmore Lake High School Principal. “Through our partnership with Creative Learning Systems, we are able to provide a highly engaging, challenging course of study in alternative energy that students of all abilities can participate in and enjoy.”

Through a pilot program, the school is using Creative Learning Systems Alternative Energy SmartLab, a fully integrated system of curriculum, computer workstations, software, and technology tools for construction and experimentation. The curriculum provides a project-based, multidisciplinary approach to alternative energy education, combining core subjects such as science, math, geography, history, and political science while reinforcing 21st century skills.

“The study of alternative energy is a perfect platform for the development of 21st century skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, creativity and innovation, and information and communication technology,” said Matt Dickstein, CEO of Creative Learning Systems. “Alternative energy exploration requires a different approach by teachers and students, because technology is in continuous flux and the most important innovations have yet to be defined. This is definitely not a subject where the answers are found in a text book.”

More Information

Learn more about the Alternative Energy SmartLab at www.creativelearningsystems.com.

About Creative Learning Systems

Colorado-based Creative Learning Systems designs 21st century learning labs for schools. Since creating the first technology lab in a U.S. school in 1987, Creative Learning Systems has set the standard for integrating applied technology in education. For more than 20 years, the company has been in the business of enhancing the learning environment through technology and helping students develop critical 21st century skills. The company’s SmartLab learning systems feature a project-based, student-centered approach that challenges and engages students of all abilities. In partnership with hundreds of schools and districts across the country, Creative Learning Systems is helping prepare students to compete in a global economy through its products and educator support.

Contacts

Creative Learning Systems
Matt Dickstein
303-772-6400
MDickstein@
creativelearningsystems.com
www.creativelearningsystems.com

C. Blohm & Associates, Inc.
Kristen Plemon
608-839-9805
kristen at cblohm dot com
www.cblohm.com

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