Grant Lights Way for Student Research on Solar Energy

Mr. Lee in front of a small part of the USC Trojan Marching Band at the Globe Theatre in Universal Studios, Hollywood.


Mr. Lee with other sustainability award winners.

Some parents in Cupertino may be wondering if it makes sense to install a solar energy system in their home. To find out, they may just have to ask their kids.

In September, students in Mike Lee's eighth-grade class at St. Joseph of Cupertino School will begin monitoring energy consumption at home, ultimately concluding by next May whether or not solar is feasible for their families.

The project, which Lee calls “Bringing the Sunshine Home,” captured the attention of judges during the third annual A+ for Energy program and earned the local teacher a $10,000 Sustainability Grant. Lee, who won a grant last year in the same amount for a solar energy pilot program, was eligible this year for a second round of funding to sustain his work merging youthful energy with solar energy.

Last year's grant allowed Lee's seventh- and eighth-grade students to learn how, using a web-based solar panel monitoring system, St. Joseph's solar panels provided energy for the school. This year's grant expands the students' solar research into their own homes.

“The kids will track their families' monthly energy use through the electric meters at their homes,” explained Lee. “They will also take digital photos around their property to show if there are issues, such as shade, which may affect the installation of solar components.”

Lee said students will use math and language skills to collect data, create spreadsheets and graphs and develop proposed solar designs. By spring, they'll be ready to present their findings.

“They will have calculated how many solar panels they can install at home and how much solar energy can be provided, based on the amount of sun that our solar panels receive at school. Then, they'll use all that information they've gathered throughout the school year to create an oral presentation on the feasibility of using solar power on their own houses.”

Lee's solar project last year sparked the interest of not only his students, but also of parents, faculty and local businesses. This year, the support continues. MC Solar Engineering in Santa Clara and Preferred Energy Services in Campbell will offer advice, cost and product information and technical know-how to the student researchers. Parents working at area high-tech companies already have successfully appealed to employer gift-matching programs for new electronic equipment. And, the school's student council and lunch catering company, Pasta Market, are donating proceeds to Lee's project from food fund-raisers.

“The level of involvement from so many different sources is truly amazing,” said Principal Mary Lyons. “People can see immediately what a valuable learning experience Mr. Lee is providing for our students. We're very proud of him—for both his commitment to education and to improving the world around us.”

The A+ for Energy grants program is sponsored by BP, a global energy provider. This year, out of 740 applications for funding, 127 projects from teachers throughout the state received a total of $1.5 million in grants.

Lee said his second BP grant will ensure that solar education becomes a permanent part of his seventh- and eighth-grade curriculum. “The grant is a stepping stone that can only lead to positive things. With the students learning and getting excited about solar power, it follows that they'll be encouraged to investigate the effectiveness of other green sources.”