Georgia Magazine - September 2021 - 14

Currents
News from Georgia's electric co-ops * Compiled by Amy Schneider
Coweta-Fayette EMC hosts alternativeenergy
program for teachers
W
ith the goal of providing a fun and educational
experience centered on alternative-energy options,
Coweta-Fayette Electric Membership Corp. (EMC)
in Palmetto partnered with the Coweta County School
System (CCSS) to host the inaugural Alternative Energy
Summer Adventure.
The three-day summer adventure July 20-22 provided a
hands-on experience for local teachers, specifically those in
the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM). The program offered dynamic, in-person sessions with
valuable insight into the future of green energy, sustainability
and innovation.
" This program has allowed us to grow as educators, " said
Elizabeth Lozano-Hensley, a teacher at Newnan High School.
" Teachers enjoy being students because when we learn new
things, we go back and teach it to our classroom. That's a very
valuable experience to us-and to the students-because we're
continuing to learn and pass it on! "
More than 30 educators attended the interactive tour,
representing the following schools in Newnan and Sharpsburg:
Arnall Middle School, Blake Bass Middle School, Central
Educational Center, East Coweta High School, Evans Middle
School, Lee Middle School, Madras Middle School, Newnan
Crossing Elementary School, Newnan High School, Northgate
High School, Poplar Road Elementary School, Smokey Road
Middle School, Thomas Crossroads Elementary School and
Welch Elementary School.
" I'm extremely excited to see this collaboration between
our EMC and the Coweta schools, " Coweta-Fayette EMC CEO
Chris Stephens said. " The future of the energy industry is
changing. Not only will this experience bring new opportunities
to the classroom, [but also] this partnership will help equip and
engage our future workforce. "
14
Georgia Magazine September 2021
During the first two days, teachers hit the road to learn
about electric vehicles (EVs), solar energy, sustainability efforts
and battery storage capabilities, while the final day was spent
analyzing the SPARK Energy Education Program from Green
Power EMC in Tucker.
As part of the program, teachers visited the Georgia Tech
Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design in Atlanta,
Georgia's first Living Building (an international sustainablebuilding
certification program), to learn how energy efficiency
and innovative thinking can transform future generations.
They also visited BMVW Auto Sales in Union City, an EV
dealership, to learn about sustainability efforts and clean and
green energy.
Teachers learned about the importance of solar energy in
STEM education while visiting Coweta-Fayette EMC's Michael
C. Whiteside Electric Solar Plant in Heard County and Camp
Southern Ground's solar field in Fayetteville. They also learned
about green homes, energy efficiency and geothermal
capabilities at the Trilith community in Fayetteville.
" I teach physical science, so this has given me new material
to teach my students about solar energy and be able to make it
fun and interactive! " said Sharon Curtis, a teacher at Smokey
Road Middle School. " I just want to thank Coweta-Fayette EMC
for this experience and for giving me another way to impart tangible
lessons. I've been teaching for 24 years, so this has helped
me stay in the know and understand current topics. "
Teachers also tried out experiments through the SPARK
Energy Education Program and learned how to incorporate
them into lesson plans before participating in an EV driving
experience. They also heard Stephens talk about the co-op's
mission and commitment to green energy initiatives.
Coweta-Fayette EMC plans to continue offering the
Alternative Energy Summer Adventure program for teachers.
COURTESY COWETA-FAYETTE EMC
Georgia Magazine - September 2021

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