Recipient Organization
BAY MILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
12214 W. LAKESHORE DR
BRIMLEY,MI 49715
Performing Department
RESEARCH
Non Technical Summary
BMCC will formally establish the "BMCC Renewable Energy Center of Excellence" and expand its outreach capacity by conducting lessons on renewable energy (including biofuels, solar, and wind energy) through much of the state of Michigan. This includes travel to a minimum of 20 of the 37 schools chartered by BMCC (approximately 15,000 students in grades K-12) and a minimum of 8 of the 16 schools in the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District, at least two state colleges/universities, and the Michigan State Energy Fair (2008 and 2009). BMCC students, specifically members of the BMCC Renewable Energy Club, under the supervision of the project's PI (Dr. Michael Doyle), will serve as assistant instructors. This provides a unique opportunity for students involved in the Renewable Energy Club to disseminate what they have learned, while generating interest and excitement about renewable energy resources and processes. Highlights of the outreach training includes hands-on opportunities for participants to make biodiesel from waste vegetable oil with a simple, low cost mobile biodiesel processor developed and constructed at the BMCC RE Lab, and see diesel engines (including the new BMCC "BioBus/VeggieMobile") powered by reclaimed vegetable biodiesel. Outcomes include increased understanding and interest in renewable energy within a young and diverse population (including Native Americans and other minority groups) over a wide geographic area within Michigan and enhanced outreach, training, and curriculum development opportunities for BMCC.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Goal #1 Broaden outreach and impact of the project by becoming the BMCC Renewable Energy Center of Excellence and traveling across Michigan to educate a varied and wide audience on renewable energy resources and practices. BMCC will conduct lessons on the process of biodiesel production from recycling waste food oil and planting, growing, and processing oil seed crops to generating alternative fuels. Lessons will also be conducted on the use of solar panels and wind generation as alternative energy sources. Lessons will be conducted on an intended audience, grade level, and comprehension basis. Objective #1 Travel to a minimum of 20 of the 37 schools chartered by BMCC and present a minimum of a 2-hour lesson on renewable energy. Objective #2 Travel to a minimum of 8 of the 16 schools in the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District and present a minimum of a 2-hour lesson on renewable energy. Objective #3 Travel to regional colleges and universities to establish relationships and build partnerships. (Minimum of two schools) Goal #2 Provide the opportunity for students involved in the Renewable Energy Club to disseminate what they have learned, while generating interest and excitement about renewable energy resources and processes. Objective #1 A minimum of five students from the BMCC Renewable Energy Club will be provided stipends and meals and lodging (when indicated) to travel to the charter schools, local schools, and regional colleges and universities to instruct teachers and students on renewable energy resources and processes. Objective #2 Three to five students will attend the State Energy Fair (summers of 2008 and 2009) and will present an exhibit on Biodiesel processing.
Project Methods
Statement of the Approach Ccal schools to schedule site visits. As demonstrated by the attached charter school map, a large majority of the schools are located in the Detroit area. It is anticipated therefore that the student presenters will present to two schools per day and will spend at least two days doing presentations on any given trip to reach as many students as possible in the most cost effective manner as possible. Visits to local schools and institutions of higher education offer additional flexibility; therefore site visits will be coordinated with individual schools. Site visits will involve meeting with faculty and students, conducting presentations, and engaging faculty in dialogue regarding partnerships and potential future projects. Dr Doyle will assist students in the preparation of the presentations and will monitor progress and solicit feedback from each participant organization. Dr. Doyle will arrange for students to present at the Michigan energy fair (as he did so in 2007). Stakeholder input has spearheaded the project, as students at BMCC are the prime stakeholders. BMCC students demonstrated interest in the previously funded biodiesel project through their participation in building and setting up the processing units on the trailers, learning the process, and demonstrating an interest in ongoing renewable energy projects (such as the wind tower). Students started the Renewable Energy Club in 2007. Two of the students in the club have been provided credit for directed study under Dr. Doyle. Students have been active participants in both the study of wind power (monitoring the wind data) and biodiesel processes (setting up the trailer and learning the process).