School’s Out! Continue Your Solar Education this Summer

School may be out for the summer, but that doesn’t mean the learning should stop. Being in the Sunshine State, students across Florida have a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge of solar energy this summer by simply stepping outside.

Ready to start your solar learning journey? Let’s begin!

Not Your Average Classroom

Have you ever seen a solar tree? Just like their real-life counterparts, solar trees create shade on a hot summer day, but instead of giving us oxygen and storing carbon, they soak up the sun’s rays and turn it into energy. Solar trees can generate up to 3 kilowatts of solar energy – enough to power an electric vehicle 15,000 miles a year.

As part of the FPL SolarNow program, you can see these innovative solar trees and canopies up close at your local parks, museums or zoos. Over 70+ locations across the state have been transformed into living classrooms where these innovative structures have been installed to teach the public about the power of the sun.

From interactive summer camps at Naples Zoo and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science to water slides and splash pads at the Barracuda Bay Aquatic Complex and Riverview Park, a visit to our partner locations is educational and fun. Some are also offering discounts or free admission days.

When you ride on the Brightline train, you will also receive a free admission ticket to the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale.

Have a Camping Staycation

You can also learn about solar energy right in your own backyard. With our simple DIY experiment videos, you can have a solar-themed camping staycation and learn about the power of the sun using common household items.

Who said roasting s’mores was just for the campfire? With a solar oven, you can use solar energy to cook these delicious treats. Watch the video below to learn how.

Once the sun goes down, you’ll need a lantern to light up your campsite. In this next video, learn how to harness the power of the sun at night by making your own solar lantern.

FPL’s online Energy Curriculum offers even more hands-on experiments, labs and activities for students and teachers to explore step-by-step lessons to foster knowledge and critical thinking skills.

What’s your Solar IQ?

Now that you’ve visited our locations and learned how solar energy works firsthand, you can continue your educational journey on our Solar IQ page! Test what you’ve learned with our interactive quiz and you’ll be one step closer to becoming a solar energy expert.

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Solar is Making a Difference

It’s never too early to think about the future. For FPL, that means leading the solar energy revolution to create a healthier planet and educating future generations about the importance of solar energy through our programs and partnerships.

Not only does it benefit the community by generating emissions-free energy to power the grid, but careers in the solar industry have soared and will continue to grow. That’s why we’re partnering with organizations, like the Girl Scouts and Student ACES, to motivate young minds and ensure they develop valuable skills needed to succeed in today’s job market.

As you continue your solar learning journey this summer, now’s the time to think about how you can make a difference. By joining FPL SolarNow, you can become a part of our goal to build a more resilient energy future that all of us can depend on.