Two Project Lead the Way (PLTW) students and an instructor from North High School (NHS) are preparing to take a very impressive field trip and make an international splash for their work in renewable energy.
The remarkable students are in a PLTW sponsored Civil Engineering and Architecture classroom at NHS. They were chosen in a statewide competition by Pacific Gas and Electric Company for an all-expense paid service learning trip to deliver clean, renewable energy to communities in Kenya as part of PG&E’s Better Together Classroom Grants.
Evelyn Valdez Ramirez and Isaiah Lucero are juniors at NHS. They were the guests of honor at an assembly on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, along with their instructor, Mr. Juan Gomez.
Mayor Harvey Hall was in attendance and congratulated the students saying they represented the spirit of Bakersfield well as environmental leaders both here and abroad. He presented each student with a Certificate of Achievement.
“Give these kids opportunities and see what happens. These students put in a lot of time, work and commitment. They went over and above.” – Juan Gomez, NHS PLTW Instructor
Principal Mark Balch said he was very proud of the students and their opportunity to represent Bakersfield, the Kern High School District, and North High School on a global scale.
“Thank you for this amazing opportunity! I’d also like to thank our parents, teachers, and administrators for this tremendous honor.” - Evelyn Valdez Ramirez, NHS Student
PG&E provided more than 100 We Share Solar Suitcases to 19 high schools throughout Northern and Central California. The nonprofit organization We Share Solar offered trainings on how to assemble the suitcases providing students an opportunity to learn the basics of clean energy and technical education. Students then submitted videos on local sustainability projects, competing for the trip to Kenya.
Silas Asbury, Shiann Herron, Evelyn Valdez Ramirez, and Isaiah Lucero were the four North High School students honored for their water conservation project encouraging others to take shorter showers and save water. Of those four, Valdez Ramirez and Lucero were awarded the trip to Kenya and will share sustainable energy education while delivering the Solar Suitcases to Kenyan youth and community groups with the goal of supporting education and small business development.
“We are so proud of these students, of their hard work and dedication. This is more than a celebration of the Solar Suitcase winners, it is a special day when PG&E awards the trip of a lifetime! – Denise Newton, Bakersfield Division Leader, PG&E
PG&E will cover all expenses for the 12-day trip in February including airfare, meals, accommodations, excursions, and passport fees for the winners.