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Cornell University

Energy & Climate Change

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins

For Students and Educators

Two teachers talk to students at a table with large windows in the background

For Students and Educators

CCE Tompkins offers energy-related programming specifically for students and educators. The PowerHouse is a custom-built tiny home that functions as a mobile educational resource, bringing a tactile, interactive aspect to science, energy, and environmental education for students of all ages.

Five students inside the PowerHouse look at educational materials and screens charting energy usage and solar energy.

Students visiting the PowerHouse will be able to see how much energy gets used by different appliances, observe how the solar panels on the PowerHouse draw in energy, and feel how much more difficult it is to light an incandescent lightbulb with a bicycle pedal than a LED, due to much higher energy usage.

The PowerHouse also has has an air source heat pump, thermal cameras that can show the effectiveness of different types of insulation or window panels, and so much more!

And, of course, there is a designated PowerHouse educator, Jack, a CCE Tompkins staff member who runs programs with classes ranging from Pre-K to High School, and is ready to answer and of your questions.

If you have any questions about the PowerHouse of if you would like to visit or book the tiny home for your school, club, library, organization, fair, or private event, just email Jack Wright, the PowerHouse Educator at powerhouse@cornell.edu or ww497@cornell.edu

And visit the PowerHouse website for more information about program rates, resources, and more!