STEM Forward and ‘We Share Solar’ team up to bring solar education to southern Minnesota schools

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – STEM Foward, an advocate for STEM education in southern Minnesota, announced a partnership with We Share Solar, a nonprofit organization based in Berkeley, California.

This partnership aims to bring solar energy equipment, training and curriculum materials to a number of schools.

This renewable energy-focused initiative hopes to engage students in grades 5-12 by teaching them the necessary skills to build a ‘solar suitcase’ that will generate electricity. The curriculum will also explore topics ranging from the science of solar energy production to its impact in areas with limited electricity access.

Once each school has finished assembling a deployable solar suitcase, each one will be shipped off to an energy-scarce location, such as a refugee camp or school, where it can provide essential light and charging power after the sun goes down.

Students will also be able to follow their suitcase’s journey to see its impact on the recipients.

Staff from the following schools will be participating in a training workshop on August 6:

• Albert Lea
• Austin
• Byron
• Dover-Eyota
• Goodhue
• Pine Island
• Kasson-Mantorville
• Minnesota State College Southeast
• Plainview-Elgin-Millville
• St. Charles
• Stewartville

Each participating school will gain access to a lending-library of solar suitcases coordinated by the Southeast Service Cooperative to ensure each student has the opportunity for hands-on participation.

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