Table of Contents
Students at Greenwood Elementary in Henrico County Public Schools are learning how to create electricity through an innovative pedal-a-watt system purchased with a $4,000 grant from Dominion Energy. The project gives students a hands-on, or feet-on, science lesson with real-world applications.
The bike-powered system converts energy generated by vigorous pedaling into electricity, which is stored in batteries and used to power a number of devices in the school’s STEM lab.
“We have 20 bikes hooked up to a massive generator,” Greenwood Principal Ryan Stein said. “The mechanical energy from pedaling creates about 600 watts of electricity per bike, per hour. This can power the students’ iPads, computers, aquarium pumps and indoor gardening pumps, and even a popcorn machine.”
Stein also noted that the increased physical exercise is another benefit provided by the pedal-a-watt system.
“Our school is committed to bringing fitness, healthy living and energy into the classroom at Greenwood,” he added. “Dominion Energy’s generous investment is helping us achieve our mission.”
The idea to apply for this project came from Robin Milwit, a kindergarten teacher at Greenwood Elementary.
“We were blown away by the goals and scope of this project,” said James Beazley, an external affairs manager for Dominion Energy. “Every student at this school will have a better understanding of how much work it takes to generate energy."
As part of its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, Dominion Energy awarded $1 million in Environmental Education and Stewardship grants in 2018 to a variety of initiatives across the company’s footprint. Donations were shared by nearly 130 nonprofit organizations and schools working to improve natural spaces or encourage environmental stewardship in 12 states.
