Summer sessions blend fun, insights and ideas for future jobs in KICK programs
With oil spills, rising costs and supply crises filling today’s headlines, many are calling for America to look to new, better solutions. A series of learning experiences from Kirkwood Community College offers ways to get the next generation thinking and doing more to tackle energy and environmental issues, while learning about opportunities in “green-collar” careers.
Kirkwood is holding a series of “Being Green” summer learning camp experiences designed to raise questions and create activity-based learning in fun, fast-paced programs. Four “KICK” camps will give students ages 9 to 15 chances to explore wind energy, the science behind electricity, “green” architecture and ways to conserve power in daily life.
The camps will be held at the Kirkwood Center on the south side of the main Cedar Rapids campus. Each three-session program will cost only $49, supported by the Iowa Power Fund Community Grant Program. Scholarships are also available for families of limited means, with details available from Kirkwood’s Continuing Education office.
Associate Vice President of Continuing Education Kim Johnson says the camp experiences are a clear example of the value eastern Iowa energy companies place on public awareness and building future professionals in the field.
“This grant program will help us conduct these camps, plus some adult energy courses in the fall. Both programs are designed to be very affordable and provide lots of useful knowledge. We built these four energy-focused camps with much helpful input and ideas from our partner companies. Each camp gets a lot of activity and hands-on experience going in just three days, and we know the kids will come away from each program with valuable knowledge. For some, it could also give them some big ideas about careers in future energy fields as well,” Johnson said.
Programs in the Being Green series of KICK Camps include:
• “Catch the Wind,” held in two Monday through Wednesday sessions, June 28-30 and July 26-28. This camp will introduce students to wind power, the fastest-growing source of electrical energy in the world. In partnership with Clipper Windpower, students can find out about exciting clean energy solutions from wind, solar and other alternative energies. Hands-on experiences will include student construction of their own model wind turbine and a visit to the local Clipper manufacturing center. The June session is designed for 9-12 year olds, 12:30 to 4 p.m. The July camp caters to 11-15 year olds and will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
• For students who have wondered how electrical power comes to be, “Wires and Fires” will give lots of hands-on opportunities. From the basic light switch to giant production plants that produce the power, students will learn solid basics in the three early afternoon sessions in partnership with Alliant Energy, July 12-14. The benefits and potential dangers of electrical and natural gas power sources are covered, as well as a field trip to an actual power generating station to learn how local utilities keep the lights on and home climates controlled through the year.
• In addition to learning how power is generated, an “Energy Busters” camp will get students thinking about how to conserve and protect energy in an age of potential scarcity. Each student will receive a free energy kit and tools to install in their home to help save energy on a daily basis. In partnership with Alliant Energy, the camp class will also meet with the team from the local cable television series “Powerhouse” and see first-hand how conservation measures are planned and installed in a modern home. Students will leave the three-session course with a deeper understanding of conservation and protecting the environment. This course looks into the career areas of energy auditing, weatherization, electricians and environmental specialists. The camp is set for Monday through Wednesday, July 19-21, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
• Energy savings are not confined to more efficient lights and appliances. In the “Rock the Green: Green Architecture” camp, students will study how modern architects and designers create more “green” and energy-smart buildings in Iowa. Students will discover the basics of environmentally friendly plans and how science meets innovative thinking in home, office and public space layouts. Students will learn how to make a floor plan, draw a building using two-point perspective and work as a team to create a green building model. The three sessions are set for Monday through Wednesday, August 2-4, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
The grant program also supports a five-part consumer education program, with classes offered in the fall of 2010. Corporate partners for the Iowa Power Fund Community Grant program include Alliant Energy, Clipper Windpower, Linn County REC, Maquoketa Valley REC, East-Central Iowa REC, T.I.P. REC and CIPCO.
Complete information and registrations are available via the Kirkwood website:
www.kirkwood.edu/kick , or by calling Kirkwood Continuing Education, (319) 398-1022, or toll-free, (800) 332-8833.