This project funded by

Idaho Power logo primary

William Thomas Middle School

Grade Level:
7-8
Location:
American Falls, ID
PV System Size:
1.02 - kilowatts
Technology Type:
About the School:

As a Renewable School, William Thomas Middle School is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, generating clean energy through their 1.1-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system, and leveraging the system as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms.

William Thomas Middle School is one of the first buildings visible on the drive into American Falls from Interstate 86, and the PV system installation is positioned on its south side facing the town's main thoroughfare, Bannock Avenue. Although the system provides for a portion of the school's electricity bills, its primary focus is education.

In 2002, educators within the school received a customized renewable energy teacher training, hands-on science kit materials to augment the school's existing curricula, and complete access to the resources available on the Solar4RSchools.org website. Using the Solar 4R Schools curriculum and data from the solar electric system, teachers bring the science of solar power right into their classrooms.