Location:

Niles High School at LMC (Bertrand Crossing)

Career Opportunities Include:

· Engineers
· Manufacturing/Installation/Operations
· Plant Managers
· Quality Assurance Personnel

GRADES: 11-12

Class Description

As public demand for clean energy grows, and as the cost of producing energy from the wind continues to decline, it is likely that wind energy will provide a growing portion of the nation's energy supply.This class will construct and deploy a model of a residential wind turbine that will be utilized to power various electrical items.Students will apply knowledge, skills, and abilities developed throughout the course to deploy a wind turbine generator and install all related cabling, control, and end user components to complete the capstone experience. Completion of this course will help to prepare students for entry level work or post-secondary study in the exciting and in-demand field of energy production.

This program will include at least two energy generation related field trips. Trips will likely include a tour of a solar powered house and a methane powered electrical generation plant.

* This course may be available for college credit through Lake Michigan College.

Content Areas 

· AC Electronics
· DC Electronics
· Industrial Safety
· Power Generation and Distribution/Alternative Energy Sources
· Transformers, Motors and Motor Controls

Career Outlook

In Michigan, green is the new gold. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is leading the charge in the development of new markets for alternative energy in Michigan and beyond. We are aligning scientists, universities, policy makers, industry players, the natural resource management community and our engineering talent around the goal of creating the next generation of power provision for businesses, consumers and vehicles through alternative energy. 

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is also looking at creative incentive packages custom tailored to create the right environment and bring together the right players to advance the way the world is powered.  

Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation http://www.michiganadvantage.org/Targeted-Initiatives/Alternative-Energy/Default.aspx