Present participants in the solar project are Florala HS, Harlan Elementary, Florala MS, Edward Bell HS, Sand Rock HS, and Section HS. Opportunities are available for 2009-10. Schools/communities interested in the program should contact admin@pacersinc.org

The program goals are to:

• Improve students’ interest and confidence in their knowledge of science—especially career related confidence and entry in science and math-based occupations and post-secondary/post-grad study.
• Provide equitable opportunities for all students to learn science and to use state of the art technology (e.g. the instructional unit described below has computer-based monitoring capacity).
• Create and demonstrate energy-saving solar devices.
• Provide young people significant opportunities for community service and entrepreneurship by building units for sale.
• Give young people the opportunity to work with professional consultants and volunteers assist in the project and who provide schools/communities science expertise and helping to connect young people to science/math-related careers.

PACERS, provides support to establish solar projects for science and math study and as models for energy saving.
PACERS assistance includes:

• Plans, training, and funding for students to construct and/or operate and monitor passive solar water-heaters. Funds cover construction costs and other expenses related to using the unit for continuing study and venture capital for students interested in building/selling units.
• Curriculum, lesson plans, and other resources for using the solar instrument as a living lab for hands-on science and math instruction that correlate to the Alabama course of study;
• Awards program beginning 2007-8 for exceptional new passive solar designs and studies by students on alternative energy for reducing school utility costs;
• Workshops and other support for teachers;
• Use, for a minimum of a month, of an instructional passive water heater model designed by John Walker and Dorsey Walker, PACERS solar consultants with the assistance of active and retired engineers from NASA.

Solar programs are established in schools in collaboration with PACERS’ community groups and the local school.
Local PACERS organizations are required to:

• Provide support for the solar project. Support includes in-kind and funding assistance, simple project documentation, and participation in project training.

• Provide secure space for the teaching unit within 100 ft. of computer for readouts
• Provide teacher-led coordination.
• Offer academic opportunities through the solar science program (this may be units, individual class projects, courses, etc. May include elementary as well.)

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