Montcalm Community College News

Story by Daily News Intern Meghyn Stevens

Local students took some time out from summer vacation to learn about alternative energy.

Montcalm Community College (MCC) hosted its first-ever alternative energy camp last week. The camp was funded by a Technology Preparation Grant, a federal Perkins Grant, through the state.

While at the camp the 14 mostly high school students sat in a classroom, but also got their hands dirty. They learned about different sources of alternative energy and how it is important in today’s world. The class culminated with the students building a working, electricity-generating wind turbine. The class was free, but no college credit was given.

MCC instructors — Chuck Clise, instructor of industrial technology; Don Adkison, instructor of physics and mathematics; and Al Palmer, instructor of electronics — taught the classes and facilitated the lab work.

“The people came to us and asked us ‘What is alternative energy?’” said Palmer. “It’s a buzz word.”

Palmer spoke to the class about the growing importance of alternative energy and the benefits of getting into an expanding industry.
“Alternative energy is not as cheap as coal,” Palmer said. “But it doesn’t warm the earth up.”

The main focus of the class involved wind energy, and the construction of the wind turbine, but other sources of alternative energy, such as solar panels were discussed.

“Topics of discussion during class time have included fuel cells, solar panels, wind turbine and geo-thermal energy,” Clise said. “The week began with a discussion about climate change and the role that role that alternative forms of energy can play in reducing the production of greenhouse gases. We have also discussed careers in alternative energy.”

Since the close of Electrolux, MCC has been expanding its Integrated Manufacturing Technology (IMT) program, teaching displaced Electrolux workers the skills needed for United Solar Ovonic. This camp is part of an effort to spread the word about the possibilities in alternative energy based fields. Palmer referred to MCC as a stepping stone.

“We are trying to get people to know what’s out there,” said Palmer. “To create awareness about alternative energy.”

Rob Spohr, dean of occupational education at MCC, explained  the camp was created to get high school students interested in furthering their education.
“It’s designed to get kids interested in alternative energy, math, physics and science,” Spohr said.

Sadie Sherman, 17, said that the program was offered to her through her school’s counseling office.  

“Math is my favorite,” Sherman, an Ionia High School student, said. “But I like to build stuff too.”

Her reasons for taking the class were to obtain field experience in the hopes of getting a good job some day.

Spohr said he hopes the camp will happpen again. He said that the foundation has been laid for future projects and it will be dependant on interest and funding.

“We are hoping to offer similar classes in the future,” Clise said. “We may have another camp such as this or possibly a noncredit class for the community that would build another wind turbine.”

To view video coverage of the camp on The Daily News Web site visit http://www.thedailynews.cc/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=28146.