Investigating Green Energy Technologies in the City (GET City)


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In GET City, seventy students, twenty parents, and several community leaders in Lansing Michigan are investigating the need for and the design of green energy technologies that matter in the city in an IT-rich science and engineering environment that draws upon GIS technology, scientific modeling, and field experiences, and the communication of community-relevant outcomes through digital media.
Project Information
Cohort: 
5 (2007/2008-2010/2011)
Category: 
Youth-Based
Principal Investigator: 
Angela Calabrese Barton
Sponsor: 
Michigan State University
Primary Focus: 
Environmental Science
Organization Location City: 
East Lansing
Organization Location Region/State: 
East North Central
Michigan (MI)
Where project work happens: 
East North Central
Michigan (MI)
Participant type: 
Middle School Students
Target Area: 
Urban
Award Number: 
07-37642
Overview Section

Investigating Green Energy Technologies in the City (GET City) is a youth-based project designed to target underserved middle school students and introduce concepts in energy sustainability and environmental health. Partners include Michigan State University's College of Education and College of Engineering, Lansing Boys and Girls Club, Lansing Board of Water and Light, and Urban Options, a non-profit energy and environmental agency. Participants learn to use IT tools (GIS software, databases, and communication tools) and gain IT workforce skills, research experiences, science knowledge, and inquiry skills. Project components include bi-weekly afterschool sessions (18 weeks), a 3-week summer program with field-based design experiences, community energy events, parental involvement activities, career field trips, and a project website. Youth will also participate in an annual community fair and conduct energy audits. Topics covered include brownouts, environmental health, alternative energy sources, and green energy technologies.