By Mark Ambrogi
Several Carmel High School Advanced Placement Environmental Science students had a special visitor, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, to provide feedback on their energy projects..
“He’s very well versed in the energy sector,” science teacher Kara House said. “Our original idea was to present it before him because we knew it was something he was interested in and would the kids would get excited about. These groups were excited and hoping somebody would actually use the information that they found”
The Final Four groups were Wind Energy: Hayden Vossler, Andrew Lapel, Ryan Newey, Hannah Andrews and Caroline Cooler. Buoyant Airborne Turbines: Marina Cooper, Lexie Dungo, Nathan Fei, Jessica Maginn and Mary Voigt. Wind/Solar Energy: Jake Ellison, Isaac Andrews, Teri Sharlow and Sylvia Zak. Solar Sidewalks: Blake Richardson, Jennifer Lavely, Alex Odendahl and Ryan Nestor.
There were about 50 projects to begin.
“The other two teachers and I chose the ones to head to the second round from our in-class presentations,” House said. “That was two from each class so we had 18 that went to the second round. Those groups all made a video and we posted those online. A panel of experts from energy sector and in education viewed all the videos and supplied feedback. We scored them on environmental and economic aspects. We totaled up all the scores and picked the Final Four.”
Richardson’s group favored Solar Sidewalks.
“We researched both wind, solar and lots of renewable energy to help the future of Carmel,” Richardson said. “We talked how the future is right for green energy and we have a lot of options that will help provide electricity for Carmel.”
Richardson, a senior, said the teachers and students in the class asked questions to prepare them for giving a presentation to the mayor.
Vossler, a junior, said his group decided on wind over solar.
“The great thing about wind is you don’t have it in Carmel, you can always have go to Northern Indiana and travel the energy to power or grid lines to Carmel,” Vossler said. “It was very challenging to do it for the Mayor but Miss House made sure to ask us questions and prepare us for every possible scenario it could run through.”
Senior Andrews’ group gave a presentation on wind and solar.
“We noticed the pros of wind and solar made up for the cons of the other one,” Andrews said. “For example, it’s hard to put a spot for all those wind mills. But solar energy you can put on the roofs of your houses and of course we would offer a tax deduction for that.”
Dungo, a junior, offered airborne turbines as an
alternative.
“We thought outside the box with it and it was interesting to research it and work together on it,” Dungo said.
