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in Community, Upper School, Academics

STEM: Physics Class Visits Energy Innovation Center

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The 11th grade Physics students ventured off campus last Thursday with their instructor, Dr. Tom Salem, to visit Clemson University's award winning SCE&G Energy Innovation Center. Dr. Salem, the facilities manager, led the students on a tour through the facility where students got to see up-close and first hand the next generation of wind turbine drive-train technology. This facility can accommodate wind-turbine nacelles with up to an amazing 15 MW (that's mega watts, or 15 million watts).
 
In addition, these fortunate students were able to see the complete operation of the Duke Energy eGRID (Electrical Grid Innovation and Development). The eGRID, in conjunction with the testing facility, allows wind turbine generator manufacturers to test both the mechanical and electrical characteristics of their machines in a controlled and calibrated environment.
  
Just ask the Physics students about the trip and they will tell you all about the impressive facility. "I was most impressed by the sheer size of the 15MW test bed," says Ocean Dybowski.  "Seeing the wind turbine blade in person and realizing the other blades are two and half times that size, was amazing," he said. Ellie Creed also commented, saying "the infrastructure of the building and how it was designed to hold all of the equipment was unbelievable."
 
PCA sends a special thank you to Dr. Salem for sharing his work environment and providing such a wonderful learning experience with our students. 
Posted by Myra Finneran with
in Lower School, Academics

STEM Grant Provides Tower Garden For 1st Graders

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It's the same technology used by NASA, and now our 1st graders are using aeroponic growing to turn tiny seeds into delicious food for harvest. Thanks to a STEM grant, these lower school students are excited to have a Tower Garden right inside their classrooms. This vertical, indoor garden will teach students about much more than simply growing fruits and vegetables.. these 1st graders will be growing their math, science, language art, and social studies skills as well.  

Here's how it works: students were busy last week soaking the rock-wool and placing the special vermiculite onto the seeds. After filling the reservoir of the Tower Garden, they carefully arranged the seeds under grow lights and will now wait for the seedlings to grow! Once the seedlings are 2-3 inches, they will plant them into the Tower Garden.  

First Grade teacher Melissa Shockley said the enthusiasm of the students is priceless. "We are all so excited for this opportunity and to truly get our "hands on learning" and watch how God grows us HIS way!" 

Mrs. Shockley joined her colleague, Kelsey Nelson, for a training seminar in Phoenix, Arizona this past summer to further their knowledge and understanding of how the Tower Garden works and how to best utilize it in the classroom to increase overall learning. So far, the Tower Garden is a hit.  And Mrs. Shockley says there is even more to look forward to as they use this classroom garden to engage the students, the school, and even the community! 

Posted by Darla Rourk with
Tags: gardening, stem, tower garden

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