North Auckland students to learn about benefit of solar energy
More than 70 Auckland students from 15 different schools will gather at Greenhithe School tomorrow to learn about the
benefits of solar energy.
Schools in the Northern Auckland ‘cluster’ have been invited to attend the launch of the Schoolgen Sister School
programme on Tuesday 1 September. During the day students will take part in a series of activities related to solar
energy.
Schoolgen is a programme that was developed by Genesis Energy in 2006 to bring solar energy to life for New Zealand
children.
There are 33 schools across the North Island that have a Schoolgen two-kilowatt photovoltaic system (solar panels)
installed on the roof of one of their school buildings. This allows them to generate their own electricity from the sun
and to learn more about renewable energy and climate change.
The Schoolgen Sister School programme is a new initiative that will allow students from other schools to get together
with a Schoolgen school in their area.
“The aim of the Schoolgen Sister School programme is to empower schools that have received the solar panels to become a
lead Schoolgen school to a neighbouring ‘sister school’ by utilising the school network or ‘clusters’ system,” says
Katie Jones, Schoolgen Co-ordinator.
Genesis Energy Chief Executive Albert Brantley will be among those at the launch.
Schoolgen is supported by the Minister for the Environment’s Sustainable Management Fund, which is administered by the
Ministry for the Environment.
Schools invited:
Greenhithe School
Coatesville School
Sherwood School
Oteha Valley School
Glamorgan School
Albany School
Torbay School
Long Bay Primary School
Dairy Flat School
Albany Junior High School
Ridgeview School
Kristin School
Albany Senior High School
Northcross Intermediate
Long Bay College
Timeline for the day:
9.20am students arrive
9.30am First workshop begins
[The students will experience five activities and three presentations throughout the day as well as a lunchtime
challenge.]
12.05 lunch
2.30 Last workshop ends
ENDS