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Alternative-energy expo draws hundreds to elementary school in Warrenton Date published: 6/21/2009
BY LAURA MOYER Rachel Kilby pedaled hard on a stationary bike connected to an electric board bristling with light bulbs, a hair dryer and a fan. First, she powered up four compact fluorescent bulbs--easy work even for a slender 8-year-old. The electric fan, too, worked well with just pedal power. But the hair dryer barely blew, and the four incandescent light bulbs only faintly glowed even as Rachel pedaled with all her might. The Energy Cycle exhibit--using the bike to demonstrate the energy consumption of common household devices--was one of the big draws yesterday at the fourth annual Piedmont Alternative Energy and Electric Vehicle Expo in Warrenton. More than 40 exhibitors set up shop at Brumfield Elementary School, inside and out, to demonstrate environmentally sound products and techniques to members of the public. As many as 750 people were expected to drop by the all-day event to check out displays of electric and hybrid vehicles; environmentally friendly methods of insulating, heating and cooling homes; and exhibits on how individual consumers can change their behavior to benefit the environment. Many visitors, especially families with children, gravitated to the Energy Cycle. The bike exhibit was manned by members of Radiate Change, Brumfield Elementary's ecology club. Fifth-grade teacher and club sponsor Pam Graves borrowed the bike setup from its creator, Virginia Tech's George Hagerman. Club members Ella, Kaiya, Angelle, Christian, Claire and Sammy took turns demonstrating and explaining it to visitors. This is the first year the event has been held at Brumfield. Graves' students helped set the scene by creating model ocean, forest and pond ecosystems--all using recycled materials such as bottles, newspaper and plastic bags. The bike and ecosystem displays made a big impression on Rachel and her siblings, 11-year-old Heather and 6-year-old Ryan. They were there with their parents, Roger and Mary Kilby, and grandparents Julie Music and David Morrow. "I just think what the kids did is wonderful," Music said. Besides the children's displays, two large rooms of the school were filled with exhibits by nonprofit groups and by businesses offering specific "green" products for dwellings and transportation. Speakers throughout the day gave presentations on solar energy, energy policy, green building, recycling, cost-effective home improvements, sustainable communities and more. The exhibit was presented by the Rappahannock County-based group Money & Energy $avings Alternatives and by the Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection. rlep.orgLaura Moyer: 540/374-5417
It would be nice if the City Center would hold some shows like this at Celebrate Virginia, with free admission, of course. A solar and wind-energy show would be nice. Free shows like this would build up public interest in the Convention Center and in the environment too.
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