May 2nd Workshop Review

The winds of change blew through our recent Green Apple Kids workshop and got our young inventors thinking about alternative fuel sources. GAK co-founder Beatrice Tinio led the day’s lesson by starting with a picture book focused specifically on the how the suns fuels almost every energy source that exists on the Earth.

When Bea asked the class what makes the wind, parents were amazed to learn that the junior Green Apple attendees where in the correct ballpark. “The sun!” offered one GAK kid, while another added, “Because the sun controls all the weather.” The kids also recognized the differences between fossil fuels and sustainable energy sources (identifying solar panel and embracing the concept of hydro-electricity).

But enough talking, a Green Apple Kids workshop would be incomplete without a fun. hands-on activity. At their respective workstations, the kids decorated the arms of their anemometers (say that three times quickly) and colored one of the 4 cups that catch the wind in order to be able to measure the wind’s velocity. The stem was made from discarded pencils and the base from repurposed modeling clay.

With their anemometers ready, the Green Apple Kids constructed an indoor ‘wind farm’ counting off their cup revolutions (see video below) and then each kid left with a velocity chart in order to record wind speeds in their neighborhoods and advocate for the installation of an energy-producing turbine.

April 4th Workshop Review

With over 35 kids ready at the starting line, we raced into our workshop with presenters Solar 1 to make solar race cars. But before the checkered flag came down, Margaret of Solar 1 reminded the kids of the importance of renewable energy. A few smart Green Apple Kids were quick with answers, advising their peers that we currently use way to much fossil fuels (from energy sources that cannot be refilled once the needle hits E).

But that was enough talking about renewable energy, next the kids built cars that used one of its most abundant resources... the sun. They put wheels, cogs, motor and solar panel together after decorating the chassis of the car in a green theme. The mini-mechanics that completed their cars quickly went on to constructed sundials from construction paper and a bit of help from their attentive parents.

A big thanks to all the understanding parents who attended this, our largest workshop to date.


Oh Mister Sun, Sun,
Mister Golden Sun,
Please shine down on me...