Schoolgen goes live in Christchurch

21 June 2012

Genesis Energy’s on-going commitment to supporting Christchurch has now reached another level with the launch of the Schoolgen programme in three local schools; Sumner School, Banks Ave and Middleton Grange School.

Students at Sumner school celebrated the launch of the programme with a solar themed assembly yesterday. It was attended by students and teachers from the other two schools and members of the School Boards.

The Schoolgen programme, which was launched in 2006 as one of the Genesis Energy’s key community initiatives, aims to teach children about renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Students are able to see how much electricity their solar panels are producing in real time via an interactive website – www.schoolgen.co.nz and in doing so are provided with real work lessons about solar energy, climate change and electricity generation.

In addition to this the students and teaching staff have access to the Schoolgen resource materials which support the science and technology curriculum. These resources are freely available to all schools throughout the country, irrespective of whether or not they are directly involved in the Schoolgen programme.

According to Genesis Energy Chief Executive, Albert Brantley, the Schoolgen programme plays a significant role in the organisation’s community investment activities.

“As a company we are keen to bring solar energy to life for children across New Zealand. They will one day be our leaders and decision makers and so it is important that they understand the role renewable energy can play in our country,” said Mr Brantley.

The inclusion of these three schools into the Schoolgen programme brings the total number of schools with solar panels to 45.

(Pictures Attached)

For more information contact:
Richard Gordon
Public Affairs Manager
Genesis Energy
P: 09 580 4782
M: 021 681 305

Caption 1: Sumner school celebrates with the Schoolgen team (Maggie Twaddle and Rob Duff) and Genesis Energy Chief Executive, Albert Brantley.

Caption 2: Chief Executive Albert Brantley with Jack Tulloch from Sumner School.