(October 5, 2007) — Students have been given an opportunity for hands-on science research this year through a $10,000 grant from British Petroleum. The money will allow 300 freshmen in Physics to participate in a research project to test lighting efficiency. Technology Literacy teacher Roger Smith thought of the idea of testing the efficiency of white LED lights and encouraged Physics teacher Gerald Gruss to send a five-page proposal to British Petroleum to sponsor the project. With the concern of high costs of energy, the project will teach students of the advantages and disadvantages of electrical technologies, which will help them make energy-wise decisions in the future. The project will also introduce students to the research process by requiring them to present their findings to their peers in their Physics class as well as other classes. Students will test incandescent, compact fluorescent and white LED lighting using a meter to measure how much energy is consumed. The energy efficiency is determined by the amount of energy input and the amount of light output. The less heat that is produced, the more energy is conserved. The measurement of light efficiency will form a foundation of an investigation of the students’ personal energy usage. This will allow students to know which lighting is best to use to conserve energy. Students will also evaluate the electrical power generated by solar photovoltaic cells, commonly known as solar cells. Solar cells convert light energy into electrical energy by absorbing light and carrying the electrons into a circuit. This will help students consider using an alternative source of energy to power their electrical devices. Most of the research and projects will be performed during the second semester of the school year since the project requires some knowledge of electricity. Freshmen John Kim and Allen Sarkisyan said that they are eager to learn about saving energy and using energy more efficiently. The research is aimed at encouraging both teachers and students to investigate energy sources and conservation. The knowledge that students gain may help better the environment, the economy and the future. The British Petroleum grant is not Clark’s first science grant. The EAST class received a competitive technology grant to create pathways for students to learn about technology. The money was used for the underwater remote operated vehicle that EAST students used to watch events occurring underwater. It also paid for the conference students attended in Arkansas as well as other marine research field trips last year. This knowledge helps them become engineers in the future. Both of the grants allow students to combine their existing theoretical knowledge with technology in order to gain practical hands-on experiences in science.