Student Sustainability Projects
Students create renewable energy projects
Students in a hands-on course on sustainable technology created a range of practical projects in renewable energy and gave an end-of-course demonstration to the community.
They built a wind generator from scratch, a solar electric vehicle, a biodiesel processor capable of making 500 gallons of fuel per day, and a commercial-size solar oven.
In the context of doing these projects, students consulted with and learned from some skilled craftsman in town. They learned to weld and to do blacksmithing, plumbing, and electrical work. They also learned basic woodworking skills and visited an Amish sawmill, using the lumber in their projects.
As part of the course they also lobbied the legislature in Des Moines for a renewable energy future.
The course was taught by Lonnie Gamble, a founding faculty member of the University’s Sustainable Living program and also founder of Abundance Ecovillage. The students gave their final presentations during an open house held in their solar-powered classroom and shop.
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