Energy Education and Demonstration Project
Additional Information
Commercial
Case Studies/Projects
Geothermal Energy
Energy Resource Station
NBCIP
Lighting Research Center
Grant #: 96-07
Principal Investigator: Rich Patterson
Organization: Indian Creek Nature Center
Mission Area: Energy Efficiency
Project Narrative
The Indian Creek Nature Center has been involved in energy efficiency for over 20 years. For years we've gradually replaced inefficient lights, furnaces, windows, and other appliances with more efficient ones. As a result we've seen dramatic reductions in energy "consumption and our bill.
The Iowa Energy Center grant helped spread the Nature Center's efficiency message by sponsoring workshops, setting up an energy efficiency resource center, and developing exhibits and signs that will help our 51,000 annual visitors better understand efficiency measures we've taken.
The first portion completed was the establishment of the resource center. It is, essentially, a large bookcase crafted by the local carpenter's apprenticeship training program. It includes various periodicals and books and has the complete Home Power series of publications and videos produced by IES Utilities. It is located on the downstairs level. It came together fairly easily.
The second portion was workshops. It proved more difficult. A workshop planned for teachers, led by Jody Stone, using IES funded materials was set for mid April. Despite heavy publicity only five teachers signed up. The heavy April snow forced us to postpone it until fall. Again, despite excellent publicity only two teachers signed up, and the workshop was cancelled. Interest is very low among teachers.
However, there was good news on this portion of the project. A energy efficiency program was developed for service clubs and was given to eight groups (Kiwanis, Rotary, and several Optimist Clubs). It was well received, and the Nature Center will continue to do them on demand.
The second workshop was an extremely successful "hands-on" photovoltaic installation workshop cosponsored with IRENEW. With the permission of the IEC, we included this in the project, although it was not anticipated in the original proposal. Thanks to amazingly generous support from IRENEW, Trace Engineering, and Square D, 15 participants installed a major pv system while learning. It was taught by an engineer from Trace. Trace assumed all leader costs, except two nights in a hotel. R. Patterson devoted many hours to coordinating the workshop, and this cost was credited against the grant. _
The final portion was the creation of static exhibits interpreting efficiency items and an interactive exhibit to be crafted by Howard Shanks.
Paula Grady was chosen to coordinate exhibit development, and she did a masterful job. She created six informational panels placed on window quilts, water efficiency panels for the rest rooms, and six brochures, placed in racks in the sunroom. They are interesting and educational.
Howard Shanks created an interactive exhibit that enables young people to activate a solar cell to operate gauges and a radio. He was assisted by volunteers Arnold Bucksbaum and Joe Parrott.
Because of extremely generous in-kind support and much heavier ICNC staff and volunteer input than anticipated the project was completed way under budget.
Conclusion
Traditional format workshops don't attract people to learn about energy efficiency. Special workshops are more successful. The project required much more staff time than anticipated but was completed at much less expense than expected. Many businesses [promoting efficient products were very supportive.
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Conclusion
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