Two $10,000 A+ for Energy grants to Deaf Smith Elementary School in Richmond, Texas, have enabled the bilingual public school to enthusiastically expand a small robotics program into a grade-appropriate exploration of solar, wind, and hydro energy.

Gloria Garcia, the social worker for the school, said, "We established our program four years ago, with children in grades kindergarten through five constructing robots from LEGO blocks. When BP funded our program in 2007, we were able to expand it dramatically into an exploration of alternative energy sources."

Garcia served on the project team led by Debra Jordan. A synopsis of their winning project is available in the "Knowledge Exchange" section.

The students learned to harness the sun, wind, and water to power their robots. Then they took their learning a step further and discussed how best to use these alternative energy sources to power cities, homes, or churches, for example.

This year, the students built solar-powered lights for their school garden and constructed a water fountain powered by solar energy. "Now the students are implementing a lot of what they learned last year," said Garcia. For example, the students studied the school's use of energy and recommended ways to reduce waste.

"Now we're talking about how we can expand the program again next year — perhaps by building an irrigation system for our garden that is powered by hydro and solar energy," she said. "Or a greenhouse powered by sun, wind, and water."

"The kids are really excited about everything we've done," Garcia continued. "This year, we identified 15 third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students who are receiving leadership training and who will assist teachers and younger students as they learn about alternative energy this spring."

"We really appreciate BP for funding our innovative ideas and for enabling us to teach our students — and for giving us the tools to do it. As one of our teachers put it, 'BP has given us heaven.' "

Contributed by Denise Zwicker