Bring excitement, life animals and NEW ENERGY to your school. Schedule the ECO-RV to come to your school. The RV is painted with images of Ole Osprey, energy saving concepts, and the north country and it brings to your school Jeff Tyson and other center instructors who will share both energy and raptors. See the schedule of raptor programs and the energy classes.

Why raptors and energy? These birds are masters of thermals, they know solar energy and how to use it for their migration and survival. Energy is in all living things and the wise use of energy is the goal of all species - including humans.

Make it a full day or arrange with other schools in the area to schedule multi-events. The bird programs can be done outside by the RV or in an auditorium. The energy sessions are for the classroom.

And, by the way, the ECO-RV needs your help to return to the Audubon Center. This vehicle runs on vegetable oil. The oil from deep fat fryers in commercial kitchens and we need you to collect this, filter it and fill the vehicle at the end of the session! One more way we can have less impact on the climate and resources.

The Energy Curriculum:

One Hour Energy Classes

• Solar Energy – In this one hour introduction to solar energy, students will be introduced to the different aspects of solar energy. Through hands on experimentation and a demonstration with a solar oven students will learn about passive solar heating. Students learn about generating electricity through a photovoltaic cell, through games and a demonstration.
• Geothermal Energy – Students will learn about geothermal energy while studying geological principles of the earth. Through hands on experiments students will learn, how and why a geothermal heat pump works, how and where geothermal electricity can be produced.
• Wind Energy – Students will discuss how people have been using wind energy for many years. By building and racing sail boats students will learn the difference between mechanical and electrical wind energy. Students will hike the school grounds to determine if this is a good place for a wind turbine.
• Acid Rain – Students will briefly discuss where acid rain comes from. By exploring school grounds students will collect samples of soil to test for acidity. Students will learn the condition of their soil, how to mitigate effects of acid rain and how it affects plant life.
• Introduction to Energy – Students will be introduced to how energy use in the United States affects the rest of the world. Students will understand why renewable energy is needed. Students will be introduced to different types of renewable energy.
• Earthsongs/Earthstories - ACNW staff member Bryan Wood offers an engaging program of environmentally focused music and stories. With sing alongs and choreography, stories filled with laughter and natural history, this program offers simple, poignant messages about the Earth and what we can all do to help.
  

3 Hour Energy Class

• Energy 1 – The first of the 3 hour energy classes is designed to lay the basics for further study of energy. Students will be introduced to the concept of energy, where it comes from, and who uses it. Students will also be introduced to different forms of alternative energy.