'Why does this magnificent applied science (which saves work and makes life easier), bring us only a little happiness? The answer is because we have not been able to make sensible use of it!' - Albert Einstein
In line with Einstein's words, the Science and Technology Department at San Andrea Senior School has embarked on a project to create an Energy Terrace which will investigate science learning and applications for alternative sources of energy. Science and technology coordinator Paul P. Borg explains.
We are accustomed to seeing heat energy generated from a gas burner or an electric immersion heater, or from charcoal beads to grill food at the sea-side. Many people burn dry logs to heat the fire-place. Power stations burn oil or coal which are found inside Mother Earth.
But there is a problem that concerns us all: the earth has been giving us energy in the form of oil or coal, but the useable supply is not unlimited. Even though for the moment there is no need to worry, we are asking: what about our future children? What about a cleaner world for us and them?
The sun appears to answer most questions about alternative energy. Knowing many things would help us use that knowledge not to kill each other, not to build arms of destruction, but to save each other and invent ways to live more comfortably, that is, to use scientific investigations and our knowledge in a sensible way.
Experience tells us that educators, including us at San Andrea School, have all along been rightly telling students that man has had to use wood from trees and from shrubs as a prime energy source. Then he has had to switch to coal and then to oil in his efforts to apply what he has learnt and to make life more comfortable and live longer. We have also been telling students about the significance of technology, the meaning of peace, the use of science in peace and in war.
We have all along been telling our students about the depletion of natural resources, about pollution and global warming, about living in harmony with the other creatures and with nature. We have also been informing students about what goes on in international get-togethers when ministers and important people from all countries meet to talk and eventually rectify conclusive actions and regulations.
We have been giving project work, essays, practical work, showing students videos, taking them on site visits and using all possible educational methods that serve as traditional tools to drive a point home. The immense benefits reaped from involving ourselves at San Andrea Senior School in a Comenius Project on pollution for three years with countries from England, Finland, Sweden and Denmark come immediately to mind.
But this is not enough. It is time to be innovative and proactive by taking more positive initiatives. It is time society takes more positive action, and industry and schools work hand in hand. It is time we make young students aware of the dangers of pollution and the need to investigate alternative energy sources.
With these ideas in mind, the Science and Technology Department at San Andrea Senior School is working on a project to create an Energy Terrace - an energy laboratory on the school's roof top.
We are also aiming at modifying the repertoire of experiments that could be presented as course-work by our students for the Matesec exams in physics, chemistry and biology. We cannot leave more time to go by without being proactive by taking positive steps to address these topics of alternative energy in a very active manner.
Work has already started in earnest on the Energy Terrace in an effort to have the idea working in the least time possible. Several students are already heavily involved in building a solar heater. Other research work is already being conducted on building the greenhouse and on bio-mass and methane production and the use of wind energy. Experiments will start before the end of the scholastic year.
Conscious of the importance to create among students an awareness to have a cleaner and healthier environment, the Science and Technology Department is therefore going a step beyond pollution topics and through the Energy Terrace is launching a campaign to investigate alternative energy methods.
Students will experiment on alternative energy methods and apply their discoveries for their own good. It is hoped that, as time goes by, with the continued support and interest of the MIA, this permanent laboratory will develop into something more ambitious and revolutionary to reflect the needs of the efforts of science.
The Malta International Airport has recognised this initiative and is investing in these ideas by sponsoring the San Andrea Senior School's project.
The initiative, collaboration and interest of institutions from the private sector like the MIA are instrumental in making it possible for us educators to bring the basic principles of applied science to the knowledge of society.
It is up to students as adult citizens to make sensible use of it for their own happiness... just like Einstein desired!