Harper Woods School District is turning green­­ -- in a good way.

Situated in Metro Detroit, Harper Woods will soon to be an educational leader for green technologies with the installation of its alternative energy power plants, learning labs and greenhouse expected this spring.

Todd Biederwolf, Harper Woods Schools superintendent, explains the Board of Education’s commitment to being a technology leader for the benefit of its students.

“Many of our students are economically disadvantaged and, as a result, they may have less opportunities to interact with state-of-the-art technology,” says Biederwolf. “Our goal is to enable our students to be technologically advantaged as a result of their experiences at Harper Woods Schools.”

The district is well on its way to that goal, as it became the first district in Wayne County to go 1:1 technology, meaning there is one computer for every student. The next step is focusing on technologies of alternative energy resources.

At the end of last school year, administration was looking to improve and increase science resources for both teachers and students. Ideas included classroom pets and specimens --  but the thought of a greenhouse seemed out of reach. In just a few weeks, however, the project was approved.

Jennifer Martin, a Harper Woods High School science teacher, is responsible for ensuring the greenhouse is built so it can begin to be used as a learning environment by students.

“We landed on a spot outside the science lab doors in the high school wing,” explains Martin. “It allows for high visibility, easy access for classes and a range of scenarios for plants of all kinds to grow.”

Installation will include a windspire that will generate electrical power using wind and solar panels using the sun to generate energy. These two operational power plants will provide students of Harper Woods District Schools an introduction to the opportunities and capabilities of alternative energy resources.

Power capabilities of the energy plant are expected to be similar to the equipment that a person living off the grid in an isolated location might use to generate power for their home.

Each aspect of these power plants will be incorporated with custom-designed software that will provide data directly to elementary and secondary classrooms. This will give students and staff the chance to monitor, analyze and create a real world context for their units of study. For example, the short- and long-term energy levels being produced during different seasons and weather conditions.

Schools will also have monitoring systems and outlets installed in secondary science classrooms that will be directly powered by these sources. Some of these outlets will run their aquariums, while others will supply energy to the lights used to germinate the stock in the greenhouse.

The greenhouse will also include solar power capabilities to run the lighting and air circulation fans.

 “The model we chose comes with several features to help with the proper running of the greenhouse in all weather,” says Martin.

Temperature-activated vents, a rainwater collection system for irrigation needs and a compost barrel will also be utilized in the greenhouse.

Students are already eager to get started on the building project -- some are even spending their spring break to help out. Stuents have also started planting in the classroom and will transplant their seedlings once the greenhouse is built.

“The students’ dedication to this project and the excitement to be a part of this new chapter is wonderful to see,” says Martin. “This new venture got my interest because of my enjoyment of the work. I am now looking forward to, and already seeing, the students’ enjoyment of the work.”

Completion of these installations will give Harper Woods Schools a state-of-the-art, fully operational green array of learning labs for students.

The district plans to have elementary students utilizing these power plants for field trips to see them in operation and learn more about green energy, and secondary students will interact with these technologies on a regular basis.

While the windspire and solar panels will be located on the secondary campus, the software monitoring system plans to be accessible district wide. Harper Woods envisions science clubs studying and analyzing the energy plant across all grade levels.

Students working with the alternative energy projects aren’t the only ones reaping the benefits of these initiatives. The entire community can benefit from Harper Woods students learning these life-long skills, such as how to care for plants and understanding the importance of proper nutrition.

“Ideally, we would be able to grow produce to supply to the school and the community, allowing those involved to see the impact of their hard work,” says Martin.

Martin would also like to see students hold workshops for individuals throughout the community on how to grow produce at their own homes.

With expected job growth in both engineering and alternative energy industries in the coming years, Harper Woods is taking initiative.

“We want our students to be well positioned to assume leadership roles in these opportunities,” says Biederwolf. “Depending on the amount of energy produced, we may expand this energy network to other parts of the campus.”

Other potential next steps for Harper Woods include the development of energy storage through a system of batteries and to consider selling some of the energy produced by these power plants back to the grid.

“I know those who learn from this will have gained life-long, applicable and necessary skills for an ever-changing world,” says Martin.

Green schools can save money, reduce energy, improve communities' sustainability and have an impact on the environment. The district’s empowerment of its students to make a difference by teaching environmental values that will stay with them throughout their life is a step in the right direction toward alternative energy education.

“We can’t be certain of tomorrow, but we can do our best to take care of ourselves and our world today,” says Martin.