Tech High won't get grant for wind generator

May 06, 2009|By ERIN CUNNINGHAM

HAGERSTOWN -- Washington County Technical High School teachers still are hoping to install a wind generator on campus after learning the school was not selected for a $10,000 grant.

Alan Zube, a pre-engineering teacher at the high school, has said a wind generator --Â which produces energy from wind --Â would offer hands-on lessons in energy for students.

Zube said officials are pursuing other grants, and the school also has applied for a separate $5,000 grant. However, that would not be enough to get started on the estimated $22,000 project.

Zube has said he expects the school can pay for about $7,000 of the project by having students do much of the installation.

Zube said the school will apply for the $10,000 grant again next year and "make our application better."

If the wind generator project is successful, it would be the only project of its kind at a Washington County school.

Zube said officials are exploring all options, including federal stimulus money, other grants, organizations and charities.

Terri Baker, development coordinator for the Office of System Development of Washington County Public Schools, said officials will meet next week to discuss plans for alternative energy projects and potential grant funding.

"We'll look at various grant sources to look at alternative energy resources for the technical high school," Baker said.

Zube has said officials eventually hope to create an "alternative energy hub" at the technical high school. Students could learn hands-on lessons in energy by a wind generator and other technology on site.

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