ASES Member Serves as Solar Ambassador to Illinois Teens

Girl power is on the move in northern Illinois. On June 11-15, 2012, Northern Illinois University held their annual Enhanced Engineering Pathways STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) camp for junior high school girls. This free, week-long camp, sponsored by Motorola Solutions Foundation, focuses on green technology and this year emphasized renewable energy. One of the events for this year’s attendees was a visit to the home of Richard Born of Dekalb, IL.

Richard is a life member of both the American Solar Energy Society and the Illinois Solar Energy Association. Three groups of about 20 girls each visited his house for a tour of his 5 kW solar system and a chance to work on five hands-on projects that Richard had assembled for them. The activities included demonstrating the effects of shadows on solar cells, monitoring energy production/consumption and calculating the time to charge a Chevy Volt. All had a great time and Richard classified the event as a great success.