Local Initiatives
Portable Electric Demo Goes to Class
Just as in the fashion world, a Pennsylvania co-op is discovering that what’s old is new again.
Rich Bauer appears with Electric City before a group of fifth graders at a school in Rockwood, Pa. (Photo By: Carline Mitchell)
For nine years, Richard Bauer, general manager of Somerset REC, Somerset, appeared before kindergarten through 8th grade classrooms with the portable “Electric City” display, a lighed neighborhood that explains how electricity works.
But demand for the display slowed in recent years, so Bauer stepped up outreach efforts to teachers through phone calls and an article in the co-op’s monthly magazine, which goes to schools in its service area.
“Interest had started to drop off, as teachers and schools have changed,” said Bauer, noting that in recent years, Electric City, along with denizens Lightning Liz and Neon Leon, appeared in only about four schools.
It’s a different story now, said Bauer, who runs the display with assistant Carline Mitchell. “We’re scheduled to do 10 presentations this year,” he said. “We even got three new schools.” Other takers have included home-schooled children, Boy Scouts and fire departments.
An electrical engineer, Bauer, along with Mitchell, are the display’s public faces. The display itself is a “neighborhood” with buildings, homes and power lines that light up when plugged into a standard outlet. Liz and Leon, two glass figurines with LED lights, are placed in specific situations involving electricity.
At the end of the show, which can last between 45 minutes to 1 hour, Bauer places a hot dog across the electric lines to demonstrate electric burns.
Just like a wardrobe, Electric City has some new touches. Besides the LEDs, Bauer tells students about the role of renewable energy in his discussions. “We have a lot of wind turbines in our area, so kids can relate to that,” he said.
Electric City is a highlight for Bauer. “It’s one of my favorite things to do with kids. I can talk until I’m blue in the face, but the kids seem to remember this better.”
Tags: Co-op News, Local Initiatives, Safety