Detroit/Hamtramck Solar Schools

General Motors Foundation supported career-connected STEM professional development for Detroit Public Schools Community District teachers linked to real-world deployment of a 516 kW solar array by DTE Energy that was installed on GM’s Hamtramck facility. 

Solar 4R Schools worked with the Detroit Public Schools Community District's Children's Museum to put on a day-long Renewable Energy Teacher Workshop for high school teachers in late February 2017. Throughout the day, teachers explored energy-related content areas using hands-on investigations with tools such as solar circuits, solar cars, and solar ovens.  Educators engaged in productive struggle to determine where this content would be most useful in the content they deliver in order to build STEM literacy amongst their students. 

Cindy Hecht from DTE Energy also joined us and presented to teachers about DTE's energy resources, renewable energy projects, and the growing opportunities in energy jobs at DTE and the programs that support students on their search for the ideal career path. DTE's solar array installed on the GM Facility in Hamtramck was featured as one of many local examples of renewable energy resources deployed locally. 

As a direct result of General Motors Foundation's support, $12,000 worth of science kit materials was provided to the Detroit Public Schools Mathematics and Science Center to be made available use for all students in the District. Participating teachers had the opportunity to test out the very materials that students can use to experiment with wind and solar energy, build circuits and solar machines, and collect energy and irradiance data for analysis in the classroom. Seventeen 8th-12th grade teachers participated the workshop, and anticipate reaching over 550 students in the first year with these new materials and renewable energy content.