Experiments in the use of solar energy at two campuses are about to heat up, thanks to two major funding contributions.

Sam Rayburn High School’s science department was awarded a $10,000 grant from BP this past summer and recently received $1.7 million from the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) to explore the use of solar panels and how they will affect energy costs in the schools. Sam Rayburn originally initiated the project, with South Houston High School being added to the efforts. The solar experiments, which were named “Project Helios,” will be conducted at both campuses.

Created in 1982, HARC is a not-for-profit organization based in The Woodlands, dedicated to improving human and ecosystem well-being through the application of sustainability science and principles of sustainable development.

“We were excited after we received the BP grant and knew we could phase in portions of our projects over time,” said Grace Blasingame, Sam Rayburn science department chairwoman. “HARC then received word that we were looking at studying the effects of solar energy and offered their help. When we found out the amount of funding they were going to contribute, we were obviously thrilled. The funding we received from both organizations will allow us to conduct these renewable energy projects on a broader scale.” 

Blasingame and fellow Sam Rayburn teachers Jennifer Stewart and Toby Day are playing vital roles in the project's implementation.

Sam Rayburn will have two projects that will be powered by energy from solar panels. Students in the engineering design class at the school are planning to create a solar-powered water fountain for their experiment. Stewart’s biology classes are going to create an organic garden in the campus ecology center that will feature a solar-powered watering system. South Houston is still in the process of developing plans for their experiments.

The solar panels for the projects will be part of a grid-tied system that will supply the electrical needs of the experiments on each campus. After the solar panels have been in place for a year, HARC will analyze data to measure how much energy has been conserved.

Sam Rayburn’s engineering design, AP environmental science and environmental systems classes are assuming major roles in the Project Helios experiments. Blasingame said the project allows for many cross-curricular opportunities in math, geography, history and government. 

Blasingame said Project Helios will give Career and Technical Education students increased job shadowing opportunities. “The students will be able to work alongside experts from HARC in the installation of these panels and other portions of our projects. It will be very much hands-on,” she added.

When Blasingame and Stewart gave a presentation to the Pasadena ISD Board of Trustees about Project Helios recently, Superintendent Kirk Lewis said he was excited about how it could positively influence students’ futures.

“The academics of this project could lead to more career pathways for our students and provide them with more advanced learning opportunities,” he said. “The things they will be able to learn will help them to succeed in what is becoming a global society.”

Blasingame hopes the project has a far-reaching effect. “I would like to see this grow from the classroom, to the entire school and then to the community,” she said. “I would like for our students to pass along what they learn through this project to fellow students, their parents and others. What they will learn might change the way we think and to help us become smarter about our energy usage.”