SWOCC release – COOS BAY, OR – Pacific Power Foundation has awarded a $2,500 grant to Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation to purchase alternative energy laboratory kits for the college’s Physics Department. “We can now do fun energy workshops out in the community,” said SWOCC Physics Professor Dr. Aaron Coyner. “This gives us a chance to provide hands-on experiments that many middle- and high-school students and citizens may not have seen.” SWOCC’s Classroom Laboratory or Energy Alternative Resources (CLEAR) Program kits will allow Dr. Coyner to integrate alternative energy principles into his classes and community outreach workshops. The kits allow students explore renewable energy production through 100 possible experiments. With Dr. Coyner’s guidance at workshops and in the classroom, students can learn about clean energy systems and experiment with systems design in fuel cell technology, solar energy and solar cells, wind power and energy storage. Thanks to Pacific Power Foundation’s support, Dr. Coyner plans to introduce the new kits at the SWOCC Summer Steam Academy on Thursday, Aug. 22. SWOCC’s first-ever Summer Steam Academy is designed to bring high school students to the Coos Campus for a free day of fun and experiments with professors. The focus will be on science, technology, engineering, art and math. For more information about SWOCC’s physics program the CLEAR project, contact Dr. Aaron Coyner at aaron.coyner@socc.edu. For information or to register a student for the free Summer Steam Academy, call 541.888.7369 or email sbrandt@socc.edu.
