Solar Suitcase: Learning From Industry
Partnering for impact
For our second We Share Solar project in Aotearoa, we were delighted to partner with Orion NZ, the electricity distributor for central Waitaha, Canterbury and Ao Tawhiti school in Ōtautahi, Christchurch.
Both organisations have great alignment with our values. Ao Tawhiti believes that the child is central in directing their own learning so that the enthusiasm and love of learning is retained. For Orion, helping schools within their community to use energy more effectively and switch to cleaner energy sources, supports their organisation’s purpose: “to power a cleaner and brighter future for our community.”
The aim of this first project together is to support Ao Tawhiti, its teachers and its students to solve future energy and climate challenges. This included looking at reducing their energy consumption, using cleaner sources of energy, such as solar, and developing the skills and knowledge to solve future energy challenges.
What happened?
Twelve students, aged 11-15, volunteered to join this project. Given that other project options included climbing and swimming, it was great to see their interest in the future of energy!
With support from Orion, they explored the power use data at school and measured the power consumption from different appliances with the smart meters Orion provided. They then learned about the potential for solar through hands-on experiments with mini solar panels before building the We Share solar suitcases. When the suitcases were successfully built, students could see the lightbulb turn on from the solar panels and even charge their phones!
Students particularly enjoyed climbing on their school roof to apply their new knowledge and look at the potential for solar at school.
There was also a visit to the new Climate Action campus in Ōtautahi, the brainchild of former Mayor Vicki Buck. Orion’s head of sustainability, Pip Newland and engineer, Gavin Bonnett, visited the students to share more about the energy industry and the future developments.
The beginning of a successful partnership
Great relationships were built between the Ao Tawhiti team, Orion and Kia Kotahi which will be built upon as the programme expands with other schools at the Climate Action Campus.
“Thank you so much to everyone who worked so hard to make this a success. It really was such a delight to be able to participate and I am excited about what next year will bring!”, said Pip Newland, Orion.
“I'm so happy it went well….Thanks everyone for all of your mahi on this, I look forward to continuing to work next year”, said Niki Stephenson, Ao Tawhiti Senior Leader and Climate Action Campus Director.
What is the outcome?
We are excited that this project is gathering momentum and that this is just the beginning of what is possible.
As part of Ao Tawhiti’s new climate course, students are measuring the school roof, gathering the school energy data and putting together a proposal for solar panels. Another science class is analysing their home energy data and looking at how they can educate their whānau to use energy more efficiently.
Planning is also underway to expand the programme to other schools involved with the new Climate Action Campus. Watch this space to see the student-led action that comes from sparking interest in energy challenges and climate change.