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LAYTON -- Some Utah high school students have a science project that is generating more than accolades and good grades.
They're generating enough electricity through wind power to sustain a portable classroom, and that commitment to alternative energy has earned them an international honor.
The students at the Northern Utah Academy of Math, Engineering and Science installed a 400 watt turbine they bought from Target on top of a portable classroom. Their goal: create an action plan to make classrooms energy-efficient.
"If it keeps spinning at 15 miles an hour wind, if we connected to the grid and sold it to California at 12 cents per kilowatt, it would pay us about $50 an hour," said student Jace Shuldberg.
They met their goal, and say they gained a new vision for the impact they could have on alternative energy.
"As science and engineering students, we are on the forefront of alternative energy solutions for how to deal with climate change," said student Delaney Burks.
Their plan and ability to communicate it has won them an all expense-paid trip to the United Nations in New York for a summit on youth leadership. They'll represent, not only Utah, but the nation, and share ideas.
"Maybe a school in India is near a coast and is looking toward tidal power. Here in Utah, we're looking toward wind turbine and solar and possibly nuclear power," Shuldberg said.
"I'm so excited for them to meet students from Bulgaria and South Korea and Mongolia," said teacher Gayle Stucki. "I think it's going to change their lives."
The students believe this small start could empower every Utah school.
"We really go into it, and I think every person here has been affected by the research that we've done," Burks said.
"We are talking about an idea that will happen, and that this is the further," Stucki said.
The students leave Wednesday for the Big Apple.
E-mail: dwimmer@ksl.com
