Wind, sun deter would-be speeders at Teeland Middle School

The wind and the sun are deterring would-be speeders near Teeland Middle School, all because of a student science and math project.

Teeland Middle School is the first Alaska school to have a wind- and sun-powered school traffic light. The light is a flashing amber light, with a reflective 20 mph sign below it.

Seventh-graders in the "Patriots" team at Teeland researched and experimented on the best way to install a wind generator.

Students had to figure out how electricity works, and design, test, redesign and test again electric circuits, switches and batteries, which they used in the classroom to build wind generators, which in turn power the light.

The project was funded by a Toyota Tapestry grant, and several community groups and individuals donated their time and expertise, including Don Howell, an electrician with British Petroleum; MEA; Hal Force; Brian Miles, an electrical engineer with British Petroleum; Williams Excavating; T&J Gravel; Contek; and the Mat-Su School District.

The project showed students there are alternatives to traditional electricity sources, and how those alternative sources can power every-day devices, such as the traffic light.

Through solar and wind sources, enough energy will be stored to keep the light lit for the entire year.

More than 100 students participated in the actual design and installation of the wind- and solar-powered generators, but the entire school benefits because the lights warn motorists to slow down around Teeland Middle School, leading to a safer school environment, school officials said.