NextEra Energy Resources and Xcel Energy Give $25,000 to KPS SmartLab
November 3, 2017
Before the performance of Kulm’s one-act play, Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit, Foundation Director, Sarah Gackle took a moment to thank NextEra Energy Resources and Xcel Energy for their recent gift to support Kulm students. NextEra and Xcel have partnered to build Foxtail windfarm south of Kulm, and, in an act of corporate cooperation and generosity, they have also joined together to give $25,000 to the Kulm K-12 SmartLab, which will be built in July 2018.
The SmartLab is an all-in-one STEAM lab (which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) fully equipped with project materials, hardware, software, and a K-12 curriculum. There is a very long list of items included in the purchase of the lab, but the value of the SmartLab is not simply in the excellent educational materials; it is also in the alternative learning environment it creates. “In the real world,” said Gackle, “you don’t say, ‘I’m going to only use science to solve this problem’ – no, you bring all your knowledge together to solve whatever problem is in front of you.”
Gackle says the SmartLab will offer Kulm students a similar environment of multidisciplinary problem-solving in order to teach skills such as self-motivated learning, collaboration, and innovative, critical thinking. And the curriculum begins in kindergarten, giving the lab a huge impact on the educational experience of our students. “All that to say,” Gackle closed, “our students will be receiving a cutting-edge educational opportunity that will prepare them for jobs that haven’t even been invented yet.”
Superintendent followed Gackle’s remarks by thanking Kulm teachers for their forward-thinking, as they were the ones who brought the project to the school board. Further remarks were offered by Clay Cameron, Project Manager, NextEra Energy Resources and Mark Nisbet, Principal Manager, Xcel North Dakota. Both men spoke of their excitement to be part of what is happening at Kulm Public School and to strengthen their connection with the community where their turbines will be located.
Before the performance of Kulm’s one-act play, Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit, Foundation Director, Sarah Gackle took a moment to thank NextEra Energy Resources and Xcel Energy for their recent gift to support Kulm students. NextEra and Xcel have partnered to build Foxtail windfarm south of Kulm, and, in an act of corporate cooperation and generosity, they have also joined together to give $25,000 to the Kulm K-12 SmartLab, which will be built in July 2018.
The SmartLab is an all-in-one STEAM lab (which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) fully equipped with project materials, hardware, software, and a K-12 curriculum. There is a very long list of items included in the purchase of the lab, but the value of the SmartLab is not simply in the excellent educational materials; it is also in the alternative learning environment it creates. “In the real world,” said Gackle, “you don’t say, ‘I’m going to only use science to solve this problem’ – no, you bring all your knowledge together to solve whatever problem is in front of you.”
Gackle says the SmartLab will offer Kulm students a similar environment of multidisciplinary problem-solving in order to teach skills such as self-motivated learning, collaboration, and innovative, critical thinking. And the curriculum begins in kindergarten, giving the lab a huge impact on the educational experience of our students. “All that to say,” Gackle closed, “our students will be receiving a cutting-edge educational opportunity that will prepare them for jobs that haven’t even been invented yet.”
Superintendent followed Gackle’s remarks by thanking Kulm teachers for their forward-thinking, as they were the ones who brought the project to the school board. Further remarks were offered by Clay Cameron, Project Manager, NextEra Energy Resources and Mark Nisbet, Principal Manager, Xcel North Dakota. Both men spoke of their excitement to be part of what is happening at Kulm Public School and to strengthen their connection with the community where their turbines will be located.