Whitesides Elementary Students to Study Alternate Energy Sources aboard the Spirit of South Carolina

March 26, 2010

Charleston, SC (March 26, 2010) - The fifth grade class from Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary School will witness the harnessing of wind power while participating in hands-on learning activities aboard the Spirit of South Carolina tall ship. The first of four daysails leaves the Maritime Center Monday, March 29th at 9:00 AM and returns at 2:00 PM. The other three daysails follow consecutively through Thursday, April 1st at the same times each day.

A grant written by Whitesides teacher Beth McCall and Jeri Calhoun for BP's Sailing into Energy will allow all Whitesides Elementary students K-5 an opportunity to experience alternate energy sources in their local environments. The goal of Sailing into Energy is to increase an awareness of energy consumption and alternate energy sources within the student body, in hopes of producing conservation-oriented citizens that will be leaders in increasing the sustainability of the planet.

The fifth graders will sail aboard the 140-foot Spirit of South Carolina to witness the harnessing of wind power while participating in hands-on learning of South Carolina state standards. Upon returning, the students will put together a PowerPoint presentation to share with parents and other grade levels of Whitesides documenting the trip.

"This grant really has our kids excited! Along with solar cooking and worm composting, our fifth graders have not stopped talking about going on the tall ship," said Beth McCall, a fifth grade teacher at Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary School.

Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary School of Mount Pleasant provides the highest quality of education through a challenging curriculum in a safe, nurturing environment that builds leadership skills, develops an appreciation for diversity and promotes individual creativity. Their goal is to engage students in a program of academic excellence that will prepare them to be independent, responsible citizens in the community. For more information visit http://whitesides.ccsdschools.com.