by Elizabeth De Alwis, Paradise Post

Evergreen 6 students hosted their school's annual "Solarbration" yesterday, an event in which they teach Paradise Elementary third graders about the sun, solar energy, and a more sustainable lifestyle.

The 90 Evergreen 6 students taught 100 third graders yesterday in a series of stations demonstrating solar energy, such as solar cooking, sun facts, energy efficiency and electric cars, just to name a few. The end-of-the-year is event is culmination of everything the sixth graders have learned, instructor Amy Behlke said. At Evergreen 6, the students spend all year learning about solar energy and sustainability.

This year, Behlke said it was "kind of neat" because some of the sixth graders were in the very first group of third graders who went through the first Solarbration a few years ago. The third graders split into groups of about 14 or 15 and rotated through the stations, tasting solar-cooked food, learning about worm composting, rainwater harvesting, photosynthesis and seeing a bicycle-powered smoothie blender. Faith Thomsen was in a group that demonstrated the fire-starting power of the Fresno lens.

"It only takes a few second to start a big fire," she said.

Using the lens, they can roast a marshmallow, boil water, or fry an egg on the cement, she said.

"It's exciting," Thomsen said. "I love it."

Thomsen said she has learned a lot about solar energy during her year at Evergreen 6, and she has enjoyed learning ways to stop polluting the earth.

"Solar energy is the way to do it," she said. "Our school is a very good school."

Sarah Magner was in the group displaying an electric car and electric scooters, with the help of Chico Eco Cars. "I like electrical cars," she said. "They can save you money - $1,000 a year, and the electric scooters are fun."

The electric cars can get up to 35 miles per hour, so they aren't for the freeway, but they could drive around Paradise well, Magner said. And the scooters are for adults and children, she added.

The event celebrates the 2005 PG&E Solar Installation Grant and the 2007 PG&E's Bright Idea
Grant, awarded for the program's 16 solar ovens.

This year's Solarbration was aided by the Center for Nutrition and Activity Promotion, Sierra Cascade Nutrition and Activity Consortium.