DIMANCHE

Michaels at Freret Neighborhood Ctr.

by Emma Boyce

With rising seas leaving everywhere from South Louisiana to South Jersey vulnerabe to floods and glaciers melting in the Arctic, it’s time to rethink the way we use and harness our energy. The best way to ensure this happens is to reach out to the next generation, which is exactly what the Alliance for Affordable Energy aims to do.  

Traditionally, the nonprofit works locally to alter energy policies and prevent people from overpaying on outrageous energy bills.  Needless to say, throughout their 27 years in existence they have wound up at City Council more than once.   

“We are an energy policy organization with a push for energy efficiency and renewable energy,” says education director Julia Michaels.  

Now, with a bike, a light bulb and a razor scooter motor in tow they embark on a new initiative: an energy education program for children.      

“We are stating an education program to teach kids where their energy comes from and why it’s important,” says Michaels.     

Their primary teaching tool is a bike generator, where kids have to pedal to power light bulbs and other appliances, such as blenders and boom boxes. Recently, the Alliance brought the bike to the Freret Neighborhood Center Halloween Festival, where it was a hit.    

“When the wheel spins it turns the motor and creates different amounts of energy.  It’s three times harder to light up [energy inefficient] light bulbs,” says Michaels.  

The bike not only teaches kids the difference between energy efficient and energy inefficient light bulbs, but it also physically shows them how much energy is required to make electricity.    

“We are going to take it into classrooms.  We have a curriculum: renewable verses non renewable," Michaels said.

While the program focuses on energy science, conservation and energy sources, it teaches the subjects in a fun and interactive way that kids can really understand.  With Tulane students helping to run the program, the Alliance already has hour-long workshops at McDonogh 15 and Esperanza.  On December 15 the Alliance will partner with the Green Project and Green Light Nola for a bike generator-building workshop.     

“We will be all over town,” says Michaels.  

This includes farmer’s markets, festivals, schools, science fairs and even in front of Whole Foods.  

If you are an educator or teacher or interested in having a bike generator, please contact education director Julia Michaels at: julia@all4energy.org.