This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.

June 26, 2013

Fourth Graders Power Their Classroom with Solar Energy

by Minh Le, Program Manager, Solar Program

A group of fourth graders in Durham, North Carolina, are showing America the way to a clean energy future. After learning all about solar and other energy sources, Aaron Sebens—a teacher at Central Park School for Children—and his fourth-grade class came up with a bold idea: make their classroom solar-powered.

A video on the Energy Department website documents the students' journey from idea to reality—leading up to a celebratory party where Aaron and his students officially "flip-the-switch" on their solar-powered classroom. To fund the project, Aaron's class launched a crowd-funding campaign that garnered support across America and around the world. The students originally hoped to raise $800 but significantly beat expectations, raising more than $5,000. For the video and the complete story, see theEnergy Blog.