Bringing science to the elementary level: GCSU holds 5th Renewable Energy Day

About 65 first and second graders will attend Georgia College & State University’s 5th Renewable Energy Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today—Tuesday, March 21 at Centennial Center—as physics students demonstrate the power of sun, wind, water, biofuel and other sustainable sources.

It’s the first Renewable Energy Day since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Even if they cannot fully comprehend the ideas of climate change or global warming, it’s important to expose children at very young ages to these topics,” said Dr. Hasitha Mahabaduge, associate professor of physics.

“We’ve seen how they light up when watching demonstrations related to different renewable energy technologies,” Mahabaduge said. “Georgia College students do a great job presenting these ideas at a level first and second graders can understand. It’s a win-win situation for both parties and, most importantly, a win for our planet earth.”

Students from Lakeview Primary and Midway Hills Primary Schools in Milledgeville will rotate between several instructional and engaging demonstrations lasting 15 minutes each. There will also be lunch, a video, craft and closing activity.

Experiments include:

• Making solar cells using raspberries and blackberries

• Using popsicle sticks and paper cups as spinning wind turbines 
• Watching waves move plastic tubes coiled in a wire, bobbing magnets up-and-down to generate an electrical current
• Creating a microbial fuel cell, where naturally-occurring electrochemical processes of anaerobic bacteria break down food into energy
• Games that demonstrate the electric grid and how solar cell works

Georgia College students helped organize the event and will assist with activities. They are volunteers from Mahabaduge’s renewable energy class, the GCSU Physics Club and Office of Sustainability.

The day closes with elementary students signing a banner, pledging their commitment to conserve energy.