Solar
Energy Demonstrations
I offer
hands-on solar energy lessons and demonstrations for school classes,
conferences and other events. My solar “death ray” is a popular
demonstration that hammers home the potential of solar energy. My
“hot box” exercise is a hands-on activity that allows students to
apply knowledge and manipulate materials to take full advantage of
the sun’s energy.
For more information, or to book a half day
session, please contact me at
etchesjohn@yahoo.ca
Below is a
recent article from the Peterborough Examiner on my solar
demonstration at the Peterborough Folk Festival.
A lesson in solar energy; Environmental educator teaches children
about power of sun
ANDREA HOUSTON / Examiner Staff Writer
Local News - Monday, August 27, 2007 @ 00:00
Amid the music, food and artistic displays at the Peterborough Folk
Festival yesterday, John Etches was using the sun to help children
start a few fires.
Not far from the Children's Village and the Village Stage, Etches, a
local environmental educator, stood behind what resembled a mix
between a satellite dish and a disco ball.
Using the energy from the sun and an old satellite dish, Etches said
the mirrors pasted to the dish reflect the sun's rays and produce
heat.
He calls it The Solar Death Ray.
"The whole point is to rethink the possibilities of using solar
energy in different ways," he said. "My biggest pet peeve is that we
under utilize solar energy."
Holding a small piece of paper in front of the dish, Etches
demonstrated his solar contraption.
Within seconds it burst into flames.
"I have been letting kids light pieces of paper on fire," Etches
said, with a laugh.
Along with scraps of paper, Etches also let kids roast hot dogs
using the flames produced from the solar heat.
"I have actually cooked seven hot dogs today," he said.
"I let them walk away eating it. That way they see solar power can
produce real results."
Next to the small mirrored dish was a larger satellite dish with
foil bits glued to the front.
"We have really been sold down the river when it comes to fossil
fuels," Etches said. "Oil has been just shoved down our throats.
"It's ridiculous that we're not using solar power."
Etches said he recently returned from a trip to Egypt where he tried
to enlighten Egyptians on being more environmentally aware.
"There is very little environmental ethic in Egypt," he said. "There
is garbage everywhere."
With the help of some Egyptian children, Etches said he picked up
300 foil potato chip wrappers that were littered on the ground.
Those foil wrappers were to be glued to the front of a larger
satellite dish.
"This was all to make a point with local kids," he said. "Only
problem was I couldn't get my hands on an old satellite dish. So I
brought all the bags home."
Although the foil reflectors aren't as effective as the mirrors,
Etches said it will still do the job.
"I wanted to make and show solar energy in a country that is never
cloudy," he said.
With a western culture becoming more and more environmentally
conscious, Etches said he hopes solar power soon becomes a standard
energy source in North America.
"I hope we all start considering new possibilities to create
energy," he said. "Because eventually, we need to stop using oil."
For more information on his Solar Death Ray, visit his website at
www.earthimage.ca.
