The Governor's
High School Conference
on the Environment

Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education

2008
Overview
Participant Info
Presenters
Exhibitors
Volunteers
Sponsors
Travel/Lodging
Resources
Walk the Talk

Keynote Speaker
Ben Nusz, Renewable Energy Technician Instructor, Midstate Technical College

My Green Past and Our Green Future
The opportunities to find green collar jobs are rapidly expanding. Ben told the story of how his particular interests led him into the renewable energy field and discussed how your individual talents can contribute to the new green marketplace.

For the past four years Ben has worked as a designer and consultant for Artha Sustainable Living Center, LLC, where he is responsible for designing solar thermal systems and coordinating installations. In 2006, Benjamin co-authored the book Solar Water Heating: A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water and Space Heating Systems with Bob Ramlow. He is currently the Renewable Thermal Energy Technician instructor at Mid-State Technical College. Benjamin earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Minnesota and currently is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Session Presentations 

Session 1

Student Group 1
In this session, three different groups of students will present on biodiesel projects.
A. Making Biodiesel from Used Vegetable Oil
Port Washington High School, Port Washington, Wisconsin
Learn how Port Washington students take used vegetable oil from the school’s kitchen, process it into biodiesel fuel, test it, and use it in the district’s diesel equipment.
B. Biodiesel Production
Deerfield High School, Deerfield, Wisconsin
A student research team from Deerfield High School studied biodiesel and its friendliness to the environment over regular diesel gasoline. They then produced their own biofuel to run a diesel engine. They learned the chemistry and biology of the process of making biodiesel and are now applying what they learned. They will grow soybeans then extract the oil to produce fuel to run a roto-tiller for the school’s biology garden.
C. Global Cooling Initiative
Dundee-Crown High School, Carpentersville, Illinois
Using a “BP A+ for Energy” grant, Dundee-Crown High School Environmental Science students developed a 6 station Energy Fair with an Energy Bike demonstration. The Teen Teachers traveled to Elementary & Middle Schools on the “Cool Bus.” The Cool Bus runs on biodiesel, which is cafeteria waste processed by Chemistry students. DCHS students will share their experiences, with recommendations for others who want to follow a similar path.

Student Group 2
In this session, three different groups of students will present on school building and student action projects.
A. Energy Action Plan in School
Homestead High School, Mequon, Wisconsin
Students researched the possibility of installing a solar PV unit or solar hot water system to lower the costs of energy in their school. They also surveyed teachers’ usages of power over the course of a week to find out what teachers could do to reduce their energy use in the classroom.
B. Solar Greenhouses Can Work in Wisconsin
Pardeeville High School, Pardeeville, Wisconsin
Pardeeville High School students installed a greenhouse that was designed to pump air from the top of the greenhouse into air tunnels in the foundation so that heat could be stored. Students discovered that excess heat from the sun could be used to maintain an above freezing night temperature in the greenhouse (30 degrees warmer inside the greenhouse than outside). Presentation will include construction photos and project results.
C. Recycling Week
Monona Grove High School, Monona, Wisconsin
Monona Grove High School sponsored an all-school recycling week to raise awareness of recycling, primarily plastic water bottles. The week culminated in “Bottle Free Day” where students and staff were encouraged to reduce their plastic bottle consumption and increase their recycling efforts. Students will share the results of their recycling initiative.

Creating a Bio-refinery Based on Pulping Technology
Don Guay, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
One of the largest hurdles preventing the use of wood for biofuel is the difficulty of converting cellulose to fermentable sugar. Learn how a research program has helped the pulp and paper industry develop processes to separate wood into its three main components and how this program has developed biological systems for the production of useful products from biomass.

Career Choices and Options in Energy
Sue Kissinger, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Bob Gilbertson, WI Technical College System Foundation, Inc.
Don Keck, Focus on Energy – Schools and Government
Kelly Zagrzebski, Wisconsin Public Service
Ben Nusz, Solar Thermal Installer
Attend this session to learn about a variety of careers available in the field of energy. Also explore the training programs that will help you achieve the energy career of your dreams.

Eating to Save Energy and the Environment
Jasia Steinmetz, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
With every bite, you are affecting the type of world which you are living in. Discover how every food choice affects the type of planet we have. Simple changes can have an impact. Come and learn how your food choices can save energy and help build sustainable communities.

Path to Ground—Electric Safety
Wisconsin Public Service Line Electricians
Discover the potential hazards of overhead and underground electric lines. Demonstrations include a 15,000-volt, path-to-ground display board and the safety equipment needed for line electricians to work on primary power lines.

How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Kelly Humphry and Erin Schneider, Madison Environmental Group (MEG)
What do burping cows, your first car, and buying bananas from Ecuador have in common? They all contribute to the greenhouse gases we are putting into our atmosphere. This session will focus on what we can do to reduce carbon emissions in our homes, schools, and communities. We will calculate our own ecological footprint and brainstorm ideas for reducing our carbon emissions.

Wind Energy Science
Joe Rand, KidWind
Dig deeper into the wind and explore the science behind the fastest growing energy resource in the world. Build a model classroom wind turbine!

Session 2

Student Group 3
In this session, two groups of high school students will present on alternative transportation efforts in schools and one group of college students will present on sustainability.
A. Electric Cars—The Electrathon Competition: The Future of Transportation
Kaukauna High School, Kaukauna, Wisconsin
At race tracks around the country students are testing electric powered vehicles they designed and constructed. Kaukauna High School Electrathon Team entered the contest as a “First Year Competitor” in 2008. The team members will present the process of engineering a vehicle that is energy efficient enough to potentially win an event and point the way toward practical cars of the near future.
B. Implementing a Plan to Reduce Vehicle Use at Marshfield Senior High
Marshfield Senior High School, Marshfield, Wisconsin
Students at Marshfield Senior High are interested in reducing the amount of vehicle traffic at their high school. They are putting together a plan to encourage carpooling as well as walking and riding bikes. The project begins by educating the students and staff about the size of their carbon footprint and shows calculations on both energy and dollars saved, as well as the implications across the community, the state, and the nation. Next, students will implement a plan to encourage carpooling, walking, or biking by eliminating parking fees for those who drive less and offering safe and secure bike parking facilities.
C. Watchdogging Your School
Northland College’s Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute
Students from Northland College’s Environmental Council will
talk about their experience of infusing a sustainability ethic into college operations from the curriculum to running the physical plant, food programs, alternative energy systems, compost, yellow bikes, storm water runoff, and many others. Come find out how to continue your environmental work in a college environment.

Wind Energy Science
Joe Rand, KidWind
Dig deeper into the wind and explore the science behind the fastest growing energy resource in the world. Build a model classroom wind turbine!

Solar Electric 101
Clay Sterling, Midwest Renewable Energy Association
A general overview of residential scale photovoltaic systems, what they are, how they work, and what you can do with them. Participants will learn about the components that make up a solar electric system, and the most common applications. Includes the basics of system sizing and siting.

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Energy Efficiency
Alec Linde, HomeSafe Building Performance
This session will help you understand how your home uses energy, and what can be done to lower the energy use. We will work with tools used to analyze a home and models to demonstrate energy efficient improvement.

$ave Energy at School: Success Stories and First Steps
Don Keck, Focus on Energy
Melissa Rickert, Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program
Participate in a hands-on activity that shows how a school building uses energy on a daily basis. Discuss the importance of energy efficiency and conservation in schools. Explore ways that YOU can help conserve energy in the classroom, lunchroom, and other areas. Hear examples of how students across the state are saving energy in schools and learn how you can do the same in your school.

Renewable Energy—It’s Alive!
Chip Bircher, Wisconsin Public Service
Scott Liddicoat, Green Bay Southwest High School
In this session, you will participate in several hands-on renewable energy activities. The SolarWise® for Schools program, an award-winning renewable energy education program for high schools served by Wisconsin Public Service, will be showcased as a model program.

World Energy Use…What’s it to Me?
Susan Ermer, Global Environmental Teachings, WCEE
“But Mom, everyone gets to drive to school. But Dad, everyone has a cell phone. Why can’t I?” Energy used in America is very different than energy used in other parts of the world. Is it really accurate to say “everyone has it” because frankly that is far from the truth. This session will explore how energy used in other parts of the world compares to our energy use. Caution: you might have some fun and learn something too!

A Look into the Future of Energy . . . and Life as We Know It
Alex DePillis, EcoEnergy
A look into the future of energy, grounded in an understanding of current practices and options for change. This session will involve several hands-on and minds-on interactive exercises. 

Governor's High School Conference on the Environment
Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education
Site last updated 4/01/09 by sbuchhol@uwsp.edu