Primoris Academy Gets BCUA Grant for Renewable Energy Curriculum

The Bergen County Utility Authority held an Environmental Awareness Challenge Grant Check Ceremony at Bergen Community College on October 28, 2019. Dr. Fay Sharit, associate director of Primoris Academy, among others, was presented with a check by BCUA Chairman Ronald Phillips. They were joined by Bergen County Executive James Tedesco III, Freeholder Chairwoman Germaine M. Ortiz and Freehold Tracy Silna Zur.

Primoris Academy in Westwood is excited to be receiving financial support from the BCUA for the renewable energy portion of its science curriculum. Lauren Dykstra, a science teacher at Primoris Academy said, “In an effort to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, it is vital to teach children about renewable energy sources and improving sustainability. These kits are a hands-on and fun way for students to learn how this can be done.” BCUA provides grants to schools in Bergen County that help them initiate recycling programs and further their environmental studies. In past years, Primoris Academy has used these grants to set up a recycling program and to grow both indoor and outdoor organic gardens.

The grant received by Primoris Academy will be used to purchase kits that allow students to use solar and wind energy as power sources. Students will build miniature wind turbines, solar photovoltaic panels, electrolyzers, PEM fuel cells, and hydrogen storage systems. They will use an energy monitor to measure energy output. These activities will reinforce the principles that allow for the conversion of wind and solar energy into electricity and mechanical energy. Primoris students will research and compare the pros and cons of various energy sources including oil, gas, wind and sun.