On November 22, 2024, Moharimet School 4th grade students presented their energy projects in the school library. This event, attended by many family members and friends, was the culmination of a 6 weeklong exploration and learning about renewable energy.

In the early stage of the project, students used real components such as voltmeters, wind turbines, and solar panels to learn about energy. They then applied their knowledge by building a motor model powered by a renewable energy source using Lego bricks. Students also used a coding application to spin a turbine.

Moharimet educators ensured a rich and powerful learning experience by collaborating and weaving learning outcomes to the curriculum, including arts and social emotional learning.

Local experts from ReVision Energy and Great River Hydro visited the school to share their expertise and offered students the opportunity to ask questions.

This project-based approach provided a learning environment where students worked in teams and navigated the intricacies of collaborative work.

On November 20th, six of the participating students and a few Moharimet educators were invited to attend an ORCSD School Board meeting where they presented their experience to the board and community, as well as explained the benefits of experiential integrated learning.

As Library Media Specialist Chris Hall explained:” Rather than work in isolation, an integrated unit like this finds a common project to unify learning. This maximizes student learning time because they use their research skills, computer coding, and paragraph writing in combination with science content about renewable energy.”

Of the project, 4th grade student Analese said, “All of this was fun because the groups got to make decisions about how we would set things up and how we would change variables to try to produce more power.”

Cory, a 4th grade student, added: “We built with Lego bricks, and my hydro group built a Lego dam. This wasn’t just a Lego set, we designed the dam ourselves. I liked this way of learning because you had a chance to try new things and test out your code. The research we did with Mr. Hall and the investigations with the wind, solar, and hydropower also helped us to understand what we were doing with the Lego build.”

This project’s presentation to the ORCSD School Board may be viewed here. The presentation starts at 1:20 minutes.

Students explain their project to Superintendent Shaps and visitors.

A large crowd met with students in Moharimet’s library.

Students had an opportunity to showcase their work and explain their newly acquired knowledge.