After handling snakes, tarantulas and mice, students at Bellevue Charter School are now enjoying a key amenity: warm water with which to wash their hands.
Until recently, kids had no germ-killing hot water to scrub up with
# after visiting the Scitechtorium–the school’s interactive science building. Thanks to a grant by the Academy of Engineering and the work of Cal Poly engineering students, as well as time and materials from the Solarponics team, the elementary school now has a state-of-the-art solar water heater.
The project was planned and carried out by three consecutive groups of Cal Poly materials engineering students. When it came time for installation, Solarponics owner Mike Emrich donated his expertise and parts to get the system up and running. The solar installation includes a solar water heater, roof mounted-solar collectors, and copper piping to bring the students hot water, even when it’s overcast.
Emrich is a Poly graduate himself, and has working toward alternative energy solutions locally for more than 30 years. For more information about solar possibilities or Solarponics, call 466-5595 or visit www.solarponis.com.
For more information about Bellevue Charter School’s Scitechtorium, call 595-7169 or visit www.scitechtorium.org.
Kylie Mendonca compiled this week’s Strokes and Plugs. Send your business news to strokes@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Nov 7-14, 2007.