Key West High School Alternative Energy Center

Interested in Sponsoring KWHS Alternative Energy Program?

2011-04-19T15:53:00.001-04:00

The Key West High School Alternative Energy Center has gotten the approval to have formal sponsorship from businesses and individuals. If you may be interested in sponsorsing our energy-friendly attempt to make a difference in the world, be sure to contact us through our Head Honcho, Josh Clearman, at josh.clearman@keysschools.com

We would be honored to promote your product! Just give us some of your stuff and we'll put your name out everywhere!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Exciting news for the KWHS Biodiesel Program!

2011-04-18T09:55:00.003-04:00

Breaking news coming to you straight from the news-makers themselves; US!

Taken from their website,
the Yankee Freedom II was
on the cover of the EPA's
(Environmental ProtectionAgency)
magazine.

The Yankee Freedom II is the fastest, largest and newest state-of-the-art vessel that takes passengers from Key West to Fort Jefferson Dry Tortugas National Park. With the help ouf our Key West High School Biodiesel program, we assisted the ferry in its competition to be named the National Park Sevice's Official Key West Ferry to the Dry Tortugas Because of the damage boats are causing to our reefs and especially to the Dry Tortugas, it was decided that only one boat was allowed to transfer visitors out to the islands. The NPS issued a prospectus soliciting proposals for this contract in May 2008 and received four proposals. The proposals were analyzed by a panel of NPS concession specialists and industry subject matter experts. The panel operated under the provisions of the 1998 National Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act, and applied the selection factors described in detail in the prospectus. Yankee Roamer VIII, L.L.C.'s proposal was selected by the panel as the "best proposal." (Credit to http://www.yankeefreedom.com/dry-tortugas-official-ferry.htm for official information)

We are so proud to have been a part of such a big deal in our community and we have some great news for our very own classroom. Because of our help and support, they are donating $20,000 to our program! The class was pleased to help them without any reward, but we are so grateful for their generous donation! There will be a "big check" ceremony for us in the coming weeks, where we will be presented the money as a class. We are so excited and we will be sure to post pictures!

If you'd like to read more about the Yankee Freedom II and their unique ferry, check out their website at

http://www.yankeefreedom.com/

Long time, no blog...

2011-04-18T09:36:00.001-04:00

1st and 2nd period biodiesel has been behind on blogging and we sincerely apologize. I have been out a lot the past couple weeks, but I am back and ready to inform you of our progress.

Last week, the class took a trip to Home Depot to purchase a ton of items for our new and continuing projects. The class bought things from a huge toolbox, which Clearman has "always wanted and needed", to bugspray. Every project needed something to get it started or to keep it going, and our school district acknowleged that. Clearman filled out his paperwork, acquired the cash, and we went all out. Each team went right to work with their newly attained products and tools.

The planter box team is working hard and going strong. They are painting the concrete to also provide shade to the building and lower the air conditioning costs.They have fully completed each box and have primarily finished painting the concrete.

Planter box team members Jack and Mary work hard to
finish painting the concrete outside the building.

As an added bonus, the planter box team purchased two "water balls", which they fill up with water
and it drains into the box. They are also solar powered lights that fend away unwanted visitors at night.
They charge up during the daytime and light up at night.

The car team is awaiting the car's new paint job, but in the meantime, they are helping Clearman clean up the back area where the biodiesel tanks are. They are also assisting the rain barrel/concrete team finish up their project, which is the barrel that connects to the rain catcher and air conditioning and brings the water to one of the palm trees in our planter boxes.

Amongst the car teams' small projects while they're paitently waiting for their beloved car
is putting together Clearman's toolbox. The teams' two Brandons work together to begin building it.

The car team is also working on a piping system for the storage
and release of our bidodiesel.

The paint team is continuing their murals and making the outside of our classroom beautiful! As of right now, they are repainting the planter boxes and will soon begin on their painting of the barrel.

Painting experts Eva and Arielle working hard to make our classroom pretty!

Last, but ceratinly not least, is the roofing team. They are almost done with their house model and within the next week should begin building the actual roof for it. Explained in earlier blogs, Jeremiah had an idea to create a curved roof that would have one side painted white to absorb sunlight in the day and one side black to absorb heat in the night. Pictures to come later!

And the energy keeps on rolling;

2011-04-14T20:05:00.000-04:00

Hello again fellow blog followers! Savanna Booth reporting with a brief update on what is happening in the world of alternative energy.

As the days get hotter, the skies get bluer, and our students get busier. All of our projects are making way and getting closer and closer to their end. Every day is a new challenge for the students, making the projects a little more interesting. And with the school year ending in less than two months, deadlines are starting to pick up!

Today, the Solar Panel girls, Bianca Almero, Victoria Albury, and Danielle Meriscal, acquired, not only their panels, but the administrators golf cart. As you recall, the girls are planning on converting the golf cart to solar energy, using the panel they will attach to the roof. This is going to be a tedious project so be sure to check in frequently on updates!

Even during this time of summer heat, our students are not afraid to get down and dirty! Joey Mercurio, Otto Irwin, and John Leonard are digging holes and securing rods for our biodiesel tank to be tied down. A pretty good project to take on, especially with hurricane season right around the corner. Each hole takes 4 - 6 bags of concrete, and each bag is 60 pounds. That is 240 - 360 pounds of concrete this guys are pouring into each hole. Such hardworking men!

Even I was able to get down and dirty with the guys and mix concrete!

I apologize for such a short blog, however it was time for an update! More information will be coming soon along with photo's and possibly sponsorship information. Thank you again for following up on all of our projects and any donations you might have made. If you haven't made a donation and would like to, contact Josh Clearman at josh.clearman@keysschools.com. Thank you again!

Dream girls AKA painter girls?

2011-03-28T14:07:00.003-04:00

L-R: Taylor Averette, JT Mathis and Alexis Averette are all smiles and
satisfied with their completed project!

Watch out, next on the spotlight in 5th and 6th period are the painter girls! Cousins, TAYLOR AVERETTE and ALEXIS AVERETTE with JA'TAURE MATHIS' project are to paint one of the biodiesel bay doors. They not only paint but also provide the class with our usual entertainment with Taylor as the talented happy-go-lucky artist, Alexis as the voice of reason and brains of the operation and JT as hardworking team member ready to get the job of the day done. During class hours you can catch them singing and lighting up everyones moods with their little antics. The finished product is a beaut! These creative group of girls have incorporated light colors in the artwork so the room will be more cooler since dark colors absorb more heat. Lighter surfaces reflect less sunlight therefore producing less heat than darker colors.The girls experienced hardships in chipping off atleast 5 layers of paint lasting the whole semester last year which they weren't enthusiastic about but still put their game face on and completed the task at hand. Once they designed the basics of the artwork they were going to do, they began to outline it with a marker over a white background and started painting using light colors. It took the girls about 2-3 months to finish painting. Below is a photo of the finished masterpiece:

“The possibilities of creative effort connected with the subconscious mind are stupendous and imponderable. They inspire one with awe.” - Napoleon Hill

Car troubles?

2011-03-28T09:45:00.000-04:00

The Mercedes is at a standstill, ladies and gents.

Because of the car's age, it is really struggling these days. It is a 1985 that was converted to a biodiesel engine in 2008. The engine conversion suprisingly makes the car run better, but its age is slowing it down. On Friday, the car would not stop running. Even with the key out, it was still going. Eventually the fuel ran out and the car stopped, but it is still having some complications. Today, the team figured out it is the ignition switch that is broken and they are working out the kinks so they can drive it to the shop at lunch to finally get painted! Woo hoo! Pictures will be up as soon as the paint job is finished and status updates on other projects will be available as well!

Our version of "renewable resources"

2011-03-25T09:42:00.000-04:00

A new project is in the works here in the KWAEC: the cistern. The AC unit on the side of the building discharges a lot of water, so the cistern team in first and second period biodiesel class has decided to connect a pipe to the leaking unit and run it to the cistern. From the cistern there will be another pipe that will run to one of the planter boxes for a cheaper and more efficient way to water them. The palm tree in the planter box will grow larger with the new watering system and provide more shade for the building, which in turn will lower heating costs.

The cistern and half of the team. They're pressure-washing the cistern to get rid of the dirt marks and prepare it for a paint job!

The planter box that the AC unit water will be nurishing. The tree is already growing strong, imagine if it was getting watered constantly! The building would have great shading.

2011-03-24T14:21:00.002-04:00

The most amiable award goes to: STERLIN MICHEL, another student of the 5th and 6th biodiesel class. He is very hardworking, dont underestimate him because he will dissapoint you. He's very intellectual with both mechanical and electrical fields and is there to lend a helping hand with other peoples projects!

Have you ever bought those air fresheners that automatically spray in your room, and it still doesnt smell that good? Your mom or dad scolds you for not cleaning your room when you already did. Dont you wish they'd spray much faster than they do so it will seem you did? Well Sterlin has got the solution for you! He has incorporated a fan attached to the air freshener so it will spin the scented fragrance much quicker than it does.

The picture above are the materials sterlin used. The freshener, the fan, resistor, photocell, a 9v battery and a bread board.

When the photocell absorbs light it connects two wires, it turns on the fan and airs the scented fragrance much quicker. The battery turns the fan on. The breadboard is used to connect the electrical circuits together, for enstance the resistor is connected to the battery to reduce the flow of electron, and the photocell is connected in there as a switch too. The 9V battery produces electricity for the fan but the light source is what switches the fan on. So if the light is on, the fan will work, but without light it will not turn on. It saves energy and will only work if your inside the room. Plug into your wall, and your room will start smelling better AND quicker. Great job Sterlin!

2011-03-22T14:12:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone! Second Biodiesel class reporter, Bianca Almero reporting! I am here to update you on the current finished projects our class has made over the weeks:

Meet JORDAN PFOST, she is a junior in Key West High School. Although she may seem shy, she is very smart and worked over this project mostly by herself and organized the supplies with minimal help. She was inspired by a primetime Mr. Clearman conducted regarding AC units powered by ice to lower energy costs. She solely came up with the design of her mini AC unit! After planning on how she will be able to construct this she came up with a prototype and began to build the wooden box (recycled from scrap wood) with the help of fellow junior OTTO IRWIN.

Copper Wire runs through a cooler of ice which then passes through the box where a fan blows warm air over the pipes producing cool air. Perfect for the incoming hot weather, the Biodiesel class room now has a mini AC unit, all you gotta do is plug the fan and load up some ice and voila!

A helpful lesson...

2011-03-22T10:13:00.000-04:00

With the current disaster in Japan, Mr. Clearman decided to take some time to learn about the different types of radiation. He wanted us to know what the victims of the country's large scale earthquakes and tsunamis were dealing with. We discussed their possible solutions and speculated what they are going to do next. They were prepared, but not enough. Some of the radiation from the nuclear plants has escaped from their tightly sealed containers. The class paired up in twos and each group had to research and teach about a form of radiation and how to protect yourself from it. They scaled from alpha radiation, which is pretty harmless because you can protect yourself from it with a sheet of paper, to extremely powerful gamma radiation, which is the strongest and would require a 6 inches of lead to protect you depending on the source. We also learned how radiation is used to help cure cancer with chemotherapy and how x-rays and CT scanners' radiation will not harm you. There are a lot of conflicting stories and theories about the radiation in the media, so it's hard to predict what will happen next. The first period bidodiesel class is prepared for nuclear disaster and it's nice for us as young people to really learn the effects of the things happening in the world. We hope the people of Japan will soon be on a road to recovery.

Our newest edition.

2011-03-02T09:51:00.002-05:00

Our "aquaponics" team is a newer addition to our projects. It is a combination of two teams that each had big ideas, who joined together to make one, big super idea. While Jeremiah and Lops (the team working on the solar roof concept) are still working part-time on their idea, they have bonded with the ever so eco-friendly bio-naut, Shenesea,who had an idea that would intrigue their interest. She built off of an idea Clearman had called "Goldfish Tomatoes". It involves a fish tank, tomato plants, and a system to connect the two. Apparently, fish tank water has all sorts of nutrients, such as fish poop. Those nutrients would somehow get to the tomato plants and nurish them and allow them to grow to be really heathly. When gardening, you have to buy the soil, the seeds, the fertilizers, the chemicals to make it grow, and all of the other extra time, money, and non-ecofriendly products. Shenesea loved the idea, but she wanted more, so she came up with this: while still using Clearman's idea, she essentially created a self-sustaining, mini ecosystem. With that, she, Jeremiah and Lops joined together to fulfill this,and have done well so far. The idea is that the fish will eventually grow and breed, which will create more nutrients for the plants in the water. The extra stuff you would have to buy for gardening would pretty much be obsolete, minus the soil and the seeds. It is better the environment and will save you money. This, my friends, you CAN try at home! Big thanks to Last Stand and Mimi Stafford, who helped with the funding of this project. They donated $1,000 to the AEC, and we are very grateful. More aquaponics coming soon!

The mini ecosystem that the "aquaponics" team has created. You can see it in the photo, but there is a hose from the fish tank to the blue box above it. That is where the plant resides. This project is from the 5th/6th period class, and belongs to Victoria Albury and Danielle Mariscal.

The tomato plant inside the blue box. It's doing well!

Our Fairy Carfather

2011-03-01T10:13:00.001-05:00

Instead of a student profile, we're going to focus on someone who has been very beneficial to our program.

This is Mr. John Key.

Mr. Key is our go-to-guy for all things car-related. He is the recent owner of our local NAPA store and he donates practically everything we need from there, which is extremely appreciated! He recently donated a 12-volt battery for the solar array, some primer for the car teams' repainting project, and various tools and jacks for the car's oil change. Safety is our number one concern here at the AEC, and he completely agrees and understands. He is very helpful with giving tips to the car team about the different projects they are pursuing to make sure they are being safe. For example, when the team had questions about the car's engine, Mr. Key was there to help and answer all of their questions. He is a great asset to the Alternative Energy Center and we are so thankful for all of his help and kindness!

Eight Green Thumbs

2011-02-24T10:11:00.000-05:00

1st and 2nd period biodiesel is going strong.

Projects are finishing up, and some are completely done, like the planter box team.

The planter box team after a hard day's work.
From left to right: Jack Lockwood, Kelsey Lanier, Logan Hunt, and Mary Ryan

Yesterday, they spent all day (excused from their other classes and making up their missed work, of course) replanting the foilage outside. They planted 3 brand new palm trees to provide more shade for the building, and about 100 flowers in the remaining boxes. The flower boxes also happen to be the ones that the team rebuilt and repaired, after a car hit and destroyed them in the summer. The team worked extremely hard and the result definitely demonstrates so. Below are some shots of their finished products.

The finished product. Beautiful, isn't it?

They are also finishing up another project, which is a different planter box that resides under an AC unit. The idea is to get the water that drips out of the unit and connect it to a hose that will irrigate the planter box near it. The plants will provide shade for the other building near ours, where the planter box is located. It is built out of concrete, and the team sealed it to ensure no water would leak out. Their main issue right now is figuring out how to get the water from one place to the next, while also watering all of the plants, not just a portion.

The other planter box and the AC unit.

Keep up the good work, bio-nauts!

And keep checking back to see our progress!

UPDATE!

2011-02-23T10:16:00.000-05:00

We promised to keep you updated, and we promise to keep that promise. As long as you keep reading, we'll keep filling you in. Here's what's happening in first and second period biodiesel:

Each project just keeps progressing. No one team is stuck at a standstill.

The car team is continuing their sanding efforts in order to repaint the car. They are almost finished and the paint colors are still being decided on.

The "aquaponics" team is a new addition to the biodiesel classroom. It is a combination of the roof team (model of the solar roof) and the hydroponics team, who was interested in creating an all natural ways of hydroponics.

The paint crew is finishing up their murals around the classroom. Right outside, they have repainted the base of a power converter that was covered in graffiti. They are planning another mural for one of the inside walls that desperately needs repainting.

The planter-box team is going strong. They're replanting, rebuilding, and relieving the classroom of its hideous foilage. They've fertilized the soil and prepared it for the new addition of plants. They are very excited about the actual planting, which is happening within the next couple days.

Let us not forget about the biodiesel...

Every student in 1st and 2nd period biodiesel has COMPLETED their biodiesel productions!

We will soon be dumping all of the classes' biodiesel together in our storage tanks. The tanks have spouts to distribute the biodiesel when necessary, example being when the car needs fuel.

Keep checking back to see our progress.

We appreciate your support and growing interest in our program!

Biodiesel with Devonna

2011-02-22T14:37:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone my name is Devonna. I am a senior at Key West High school. I take biodiesel 6th period with Mr. Clearman, and I really enjoy this class. Although I have been in this class for a couple weeks, I have already made my own Biodiesel. To become more aquainted with the class, I'll be doing a blog for each project that's underway. I've been told that this class is very interesting. I'm very excited to report to you guys on what we're up to.

The Car Team

2011-02-18T10:34:00.000-05:00

The car team is a very interesting one, to say the least...

It consists of James Gilleran, Brandon Cyr, Brandon Young, T.J. Gerich and Megan Michaud.

James Gilleran- The lazy biodiesel dynamo. The kid's got smarts; genuine knowledge of all things mechanical.We are glad to have him to lead the way.

Brandon Cyr- Ah, Cyr. His main job is to sand the old paint off the car, and hear you me, he is a sanding God. When he's not sanding away, he's entertaining the people around him.

Brandon Young- The other Brandon. Unlike his humorous couterpart, Young is always working hard. He helps with the sanding, the engine, the stereo, and the interior. He can do it all. Wherever they need him, he's there. He was also the donor of the speakers for the car's sound system. Don't be fooled, he is not all business. Young has his very silly moments, as well.

T.J. Gerich- Gerich is the king of goofing off, but in the end, he gets the job done. He was adament about putting the sound system in the car, and just two days ago, he finished it. Not only will the car look good, but it will sound good, as well. Thanks T.J.!

Megan Michaud- The only girl on the car team, but don't feel so sorry yet, Michaud can hold her own. Not only is she an intense bio-naut, she often outshines the guys in her mechanical skills. Girl power!

NOTE: Each of the memebers of the car team were among the first to finish their biodiesel productions.

They work day in and day out fixing up our 1985 Mercedes that runs soley on biodiesel. They've taken apart the engine, painted its components, repaired the interior, and even added a sound system. As of right now, the team is preparing the car for a "re-paint" job. It was painted back in 2008 when we first got it, but the paint is fading and chipping. It looks rough.

The painted engine.

The polsihed interior.

The speakers that "bring the noise".

The car, mid-sand.

The team works with our local NAPA store, and they have been very helpful. We are so greatful for all of their tips and assitance with one of the most important aspects of our class. Soon we will be doing a profile soley on our NAPA friends. Keep checking back to learn about the people who have given us a ton of help.

Black and white: it's not just about the roofs

2011-02-16T10:24:00.000-05:00

Lops Nicolas:

silent, but with quiet, deadly humor.

Jeremiah Reed:

vocal, analytic, opinionated, clever.

Although they are very different,

together these bio-nauts are off the charts.

Their smarts and drive to succeed are what Biodiesel is all about. Lops and Jeremiah were also among the first people to finish their biodiesel products, and dove right into their project shortly after. Here's the deal: Jeremiah had an idea for a solar-conscious, energy-saving, beast of an idea. Upon hearing his idea, Lops jumped right in and was ready to go. The project deals with "black body radiation", which is the concept that the sun absorbs and radiates more effectively into black skin, paint, etc. Example: When working outside in the heat, a white shirt would be more effective because the white doesn't absorb heat as well. When coming inside after working outside, black would be better because it radiates the heat better. They are currently building a model to explain their idea. It works like this: they say a white roof deflects the sun away from a building during the day, but then it makes the building warmer in the evening because the heat doesn't radiate as well. Jeremiah thought, "What if we built an angled roof so that in the daytime it would be white and deflect the sun away from the building, and turn black at night to cool the buidling down?". Clearman was enthralled with the concept and with that, Lops joined the team and the two have been working nonstop.

For their model, they are using recycled wood from the Freshman's homecoming float (above) and building it to be a miniature model of the real deal. Their idea is a key concept in quantum mechanics and they are learning about the infinite advantages of solar efficiency.

Let's hear it for the future of solar savings!

Upcoming Topics

2011-02-14T14:16:00.000-05:00

Here in fifth and sixth period biodiesel, our students are working hard on our environmentaly-friendly projects. However, how much do you know about these students? Starting this week, I will be posting a series of blogs talking about our wonderful students and the green studies they are participating in. Each day a new project with a description of said project and a profile on each student will be posted. The series will start out with our green-house project, where Dana Pontello, Bianca Almero, and Jeff Cassel are renovating the run-down green-house from out back. Stay tuned for more biodiesel fun!

Fields and Meadows...

2011-02-14T10:14:00.000-05:00

Continuing with the student profiles,

this is Arielle Campo.

...also known as "Fields and Meadows".

Clearman pointed out that the name derives from the Spanish word "campo" which is a field or a meadow in English. Bueno. Arielle is an extremely motivated student. Not only is she the first to complete the biodiesel-making process, she is working hard with another group of students to repaint the outside areas of the classroom with wonderful murals. She is also a partial blogger who frequently brings new ideas and interesting subjects to post. She is truly talented and her humor and wit usually keeps the class laughing. Keep up the good work, "Fields and Meadows"; we're proud!

Campo's finished biodiesel product.

Part of the mural Campo worked on. It is where we store our biodiesel. Marvelous, huh?

So, who's in Biodiesel?

2011-02-11T10:30:00.000-05:00

You see the pictures, read about the projects, and become inspired by the group of bio-nauts, but who are they exactly? There are approximately 45 students in the KWHS Biodiesel program and we want you to see each and every one of us as individuals. We each have our own set of ideas, tasks and interests for the KWHS Energy Center, and we want you to have insight to each of us.

First up, Jack Lockwood.

Mr. Lockwood is in the first and second period Biodiesel class and let's just say, he's a beast. Jack has gotten two $1,000 donations from anonymous sources and is continuing to look for more. His main goals? To get money for our classroom and restore the planter boxes. The plants are dead and provide no shade for the building. He and his team are rebulding and repainting the boxes and planting beautiful palm trees in place of the desolate foilage. Seriously, it's surprising they're even somewhat alive. He's also building a concrete block planter box with his team under one of the air conditioning vents to catch the water leaking out and reduce its waste. Jack is an asset to the class and we hope he continues with his ambitious ways!

An example of the beautiful trees Jack and his team will be replacing with the dead plants (shown below).

The concrete planter box Jack and his team are building.

Useful Resource or Endless Shaking?

2011-02-09T14:41:00.000-05:00

Ahh, biodiesel. The chemical we all love. With its reduction of system wear in diesel engines, vegetable-oil base, and better-for-the-environment properties, we would think that it would be a privelage and/or honor to contribute in making this glorious resourceful substance. Right? Wrong.
Biodiesel may be a wonderful energy substitute, but my arms have never been so sore. Between the mixing, shaking, and filtrating, this chemical has run its course with my last nerve. The rarity of this substance is no longer a mystery.
The Process:
1. You take a two-liter bottle.
2. You fill said bottle, half-way, with oil.
3. You mix methanol and potasium-hydroxide into a beaker and mix until it changes colors.
4. Add mixture to oil.
5. SHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKE!!
6. Spray water into the bottle about 1000000001 times.
7. Drain water from bottom.
8. Repeat step 7 and 8 about 5 times.
9. Spray 100 sprays of vinegar once in a while.
10. SHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKESHAKE!!
11. Sit bottle in the sun.
And then after awhile..

Eureka! You should have biodiesel.

Unfortunately, these steps are a little more complicated. Do not try this at home.
And even when working in a Biodiesel Lab, you come up with this..

Do you know what this is? Yeah, I'm not too sure either. Now, this bottle has A LOT more shaking to do.
Thank goodness it's not mine!

A Warm-Hearted Thank-You!

2011-02-07T14:45:00.000-05:00

From all of our students and staff at the Key West High School Alternative Energy Center, we would like to thank the person/people who made the generous, yet anonymous, donation to our program. Your support is appreciated and the funds will go directly towards our biodiesel projects. Most of these funds are allocated to beautifying outside areas. For example, planting flowers and large trees to shade our buildings and such. Funds also go towards safety equipment for the beautifying process as well as our chemical experiments when working with hazardous materials.

Thank you again for the generous donation.

If anyone has any questions on how to make a donation contact Josh Clearman at: josh.clearman@keysschools.com

Ever have that feeling that you're being watched?

2011-02-07T14:32:00.000-05:00

While cleaning out the green house, that our lovely students are rebuilding, Mr. Clearman decided to point out that we had an unexpected visitor hiding out in our classroom, watching our students at work.

He wasn't destructive, nor did he bother us, he kept to himself and watched as our students continued their work; that was, until they wanted to see if our new buddy was real or not. The students got an enormous reality check when our Hazmat pro, Joey Mercurio attempted to grab the iguana and it charged in the opposite direction.

Apparently Glynn Archer did not like the fact that the iguana was in fact "real."

Joey did in fact catch our green-skinned visitor, and set him free into the wild.
No iguanas were harmed in the making of this blog.

Keeping It Green!

2011-01-26T14:25:00.000-05:00

While we were diving into our world of biodiesel, we recieved a lovely letter from a couple of reporters who wanted to come check out our program. Will King and Gary Peterson from the Centre of Green Studies had driven to Key West from Islamorada to take a look at our accomplishments; and it seemed they found them rather interesting. After showing our guests around the biodiesel lab and the wind turbine, Mr. King and Mr. Peterson returned to Islamorada with a story to share. About a week after the visit, Steve Zebold, with the organization, contacted us requesting information on our projects and students in the 5th/6th period. Over the following weeks, the emails flew back and forth and a star was born! Our class is now promoted on the Centre for Green Studies site. It can viewed at the following address:
http://centerforgreenstudies.org/index.html

Thank you to Will King, Steve Zebold, and Gary Peterson for their time and publicity that they shared with the Key West High School Alternative Energy Center. We hope to see you soon!

A Special Thank You!

2011-01-25T14:01:00.000-05:00

Well hello again Biodiesel followers!
As our mid-terms have come to a close and our new semester has jump-started, we are starting to divert into the wonderful world of alternative energy again. Oh the excitement! However, before we get into all the JUICY details of all our new projects, we have a special shout out to make.
Rose Jones and Michael McCloud made a very generous donation to the Key West High School Biodiesel Program on December 31st, 2010. The students did not hear about the donation until they returned to school the following week, but it was a great way to kick off the return. In response to the letter we recieved, it is very comforting to know that there are people who would take the time to read the blog and about the changes we reach for to help our environment. We appreciate all the support and would love to see more followers on that blog! To Ms. Jones and Mr. McCloud, here is a small token of our appreciation:

Thanks again to Rose Jones and Michael McCloud for their admireable donation. It was a great feeling knowing that our efforts to discover new and efficient energy alternatives had been recognized.
The Key West Biodiesel Program encourages anyone who has an interest in our efforts of finding energy alternatives, or anyone who would like to make a donation, to contact Josh Clearman at josh.clearman@keysschools.com
Thanks!