Solar power provider SolarCity recently became
\nthe newest partner of the Clean Technologies
\n& Sustainable Industries Early College High
\nSchool (Clean Tech ECHS), a state Pathways
\nin Technology Early College High School (NYS
\nP-TECH).<\/p>\n
The program was developed by the Ballston
\nSpa Central School District in partnership with
\nHudson Valley Community College and the New
\nYork State Energy Research and Development
\nAuthority (NYSERDA).<\/p>\n
Officials said the Clean Tech ECHS will be a
\npart of the SolarCity Ambassador Program and
\nreceive a $250 donation from SolarCity whenever
\na customer installs a solar system with SolarCity
\nand mentions that they were referred by the
\nClean Technologies & Sustainable Industries
\nECHS program. As part of this partnership, there
\nis no limit to the number of donations that the
\nClean Tech ECHS can receive by participating
\nin the Ambassador Program.<\/p>\n
“We truly appreciate SolarCity’s commitment
\nand support as we continue to expand our Clean
\nTechnologies Early College High School,” said Joseph
\nP. Dragone, superintendent of the Ballston
\nSpa Central School District. “The resources provided
\nby our business partners are instrumental
\nin sustaining our work as we continue to build
\nthe pathway between high school, college and
\njobs in related technology fields.”<\/p>\n
In addition to the Ambassador Program, SolarCity participates in providing authentic audience
\nexperiences for students. Students present solar
\nprojects to solar industry professionals to receive
\nfeedback and guidance on how to better improve
\ntheir projects and receive insight into the real
\nworld feasibility of their projects.<\/p>\n
“As our region continues to grow in a diversity
\nof industries, it is vital that our schools better
\nprepare students to become the skilled workforce
\nof tomorrow and are educated in a variety
\nof technologies and industries,” said Gary Ziele,
\nfield energy consultant, SolarCity.<\/p>\n
He added, “This program provides students
\nwith vital skills required in any industry sector,
\nincluding communication, collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving skills. I see the
\nvalue of this type of program in our region and
\nam happy that our Ambassador Program can help
\nsupport its growth.”<\/p>\n
The Clean Technologies & Sustainable Industries
\nECHS continues to leverage its relationship
\nwith over 40 leaders in business and industry,
\nthe New York State Education Department
\n(NYSED), Hudson Valley Community College,
\nand the Ballston Spa Partnership for Innovation
\nin Education Fund, a component fund of
\nthe Community Foundation for the Greater
\nCapital Region, to provide sustained funding for
\nthe program.<\/p>\n
The program was also designated by Gov. Andrew
\nCuomo as a state P-TECH school, providing
\nadditional support as the program continues to
\ngrow and serve more students from a regional
\nperspective.<\/p>\n
SolarCity joins current industry leaders who
\nsupport the program, including Cisco, Global-
\nFoundries, TRC Solutions, Inc., CSArch, Gilbane
\nBuilding Co., Stewart’s Shops and SEFCU, to
\nname a few.<\/p>\n
The Clean Tech ECHS has grown regionally
\nfrom originally serving 25 students in two school
\ndistricts in 2011, to now serving over 200 students
\nfrom across 21 school districts in eight counties.<\/p>\n
Juniors and seniors in the program earn up to 24
\ncollege credits from Hudson Valley Community
\nCollege in this ECHS model that was established
\nin 2011. Students are now being enrolled at the
\n11th grade and 9th grade levels for the fall of
\n2015 as the program expands into four career
\npathways including Clean Energy, Computer Science
\n& Information Systems, Nanotechnology\/
\nMechatronics and Entrepreneurship, Leadership
\n& Innovation.<\/p>\n
For additional information, visit the Clean
\nTechnologies & Sustainable Industries ECHS
\nwebsite at www.bscsd.org\/cleanTech.cfm or
\ncontact Amber Mooney, coordinator of development,
\nBallston Spa CSD, at 884-7195 ext. 1369 or
\namooney@bscsd.org; or Gary Ziele, field energy
\nconsultant, SolarCity at 727-2012 or gziele@solarcity.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Solar power provider SolarCity recently became the newest partner of the Clean Technologies & Sustainable Industries Early College High School (Clean Tech ECHS), a state Pathways in Technology Early College High School (NYS P-TECH). The program was developed by…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[52,57,67],"class_list":["post-16788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business-news","tag-ballston-spa","tag-business-news","tag-education"],"yoast_head":"\r\n