Green Education Innovation: Exploring the Implementation of Photovoltaic Energy and Water Purification Technologies in ESD at County-Level Middle Schools

Green Education Innovation: Exploring the Implementation of Photovoltaic Energy and Water Purification Technologies in ESD at County-Level Middle Schools

Given the increasing seriousness of global environmental challenges, promoting photovoltaic solar power and water quality monitoring/purification technology was pivotal. This project centered on these areas, offering students project-based learning to develop a deep understanding of sustainable development goals. With backing from green technology firms, it aimed to drive sustainable campus reforms, strengthen local sustainability, and provide students with a sense of active engagement, teamwork, and social responsibility.

Final Outcome: Practical Achievement Report

Research Methods: Field inspections, case studies, curriculum design, interviews and observations, project evaluations and feedback

Project Duration:12-13 weeks

Estimated Recruitment: 5-7 people

Estimated Time Commitment: 6-10 hours/week

PEER is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting equity in urban and rural education in China, improving educational resources in less-developed areas of China, and developing liberal arts, humanities, and quality education. As of October 2023, PEER has accumulated more than 164 service-learning winter and summer programs and special projects in more than 30 middle and high schools in Hunan, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Gansu, Guangxi, Hubei, and Jilin provinces, and directly helped about 11,000 students in short-term projects and with more than 1,890 volunteers participated in. Since 2015, PEER has set up self-designed “PEER Spaces” in 11 middle schools in Hunan, Guangxi, and Guizhou provinces to provide long-term support for the growth of middle school students. One or two long-term volunteers are stationed in each space to create learning, living, and public spaces with middle school students.

For more information, please visit: http://peerchina.org/

In the context of escalating global environmental challenges, the promotion and application of photovoltaic solar energy generation and water quality monitoring and purification technologies became particularly critical. These technologies not only reduced reliance on fossil fuels as clean, renewable energy solutions—mitigating environmental pollution—but also played an important role in ensuring human health and maintaining ecological balance amidst increasingly strained global water resources.

Since the fall semester of 2021, PEER had launched Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) programs for students in ten county and town high schools in Hunan, Guangxi, and Guizhou. Furthermore, since 2023, in cooperation with Lingyun Education Technology Co., Ltd., PEER had conducted campus ESD project-style learning theme camps in Jianghua No. 2 Middle School in Hunan Province and Yuanling No. 6 Middle School. Thanks to the support of green technology enterprises, Jianghua No. 2 Middle School and Yuanling No. 6 Middle School completed the installation of photovoltaic power generation and water purification equipment, respectively. By combining theoretical learning with practical application, these initiatives not only promoted the implementation of sustainable campus reform plans but also extended the schools’ sustainable construction experience to local villages, communities, and counties.

This project focused on photovoltaic solar power generation and water quality monitoring and purification. Through the in-depth design of project-based learning courses and activities, it provided county-level middle school students with opportunities to gain a deep understanding of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to contribute to building sustainable schools. Moreover, with the support of green technology companies, the project promoted the implementation of sustainable campus renovation plans and extended the schools’ sustainable construction experience to local villages, communities, and county towns, thereby enhancing the sustainable development capacity of local communities. Additionally, the project fostered students’ active participation, teamwork skills, public service spirit, and sense of social responsibility.

Final Result: Practice results report

Study methods: Field trips, case studies, course design, interviews and observations, project iterations

Number of students: 5-7
* Students with sustainable development related professional background or practical experience will be given priority.

• 5-7 students formed a working group and collaborated to complete the project under the guidance of a tutor.
• In addition to communicating with PEER, students held weekly meetings with the U-Corp team to report on their work progress and receive mentoring feedback (see below for details).
• Project arrangement: Students worked about 6–10 hours per week, and the project lasted 12–13 weeks. The specific schedule was provided in the following table.

Jianghua No. 2 High School “Future Campus Designers “SDG Sustainable Development Summer Camp related publicity article (Summer 2023)

[1] Turning our county “green” with technology – Lingyun Education x PEER

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/GLBnAoGcWzTvRGBHy4zwpA

[2] Earth Day | County high school students fight to protect the Earth

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/bHEWQCKJpT_sw8r374-ZJg

[3] 100 Sustainable Campuses: Innovative business experts lead teams and play around with students

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Io9CFOwPYN6C0AqQw9-U9w?from=singlemessage&isappinstalled=0&scene=1&clicktime=1697535858&enterid=1697535858

[4] The “Youyisi” sustainability project | is an attempt at sustainable action in high schools in counties and towns

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/fKQMhzaRa7AeUdnDoRyEAQ

Jianghua No. 2 Middle School sustainable campus project follow-up construction

After 23 years of summer camp, Jianghua No. 2 Middle School confirmed the installation of photovoltaic air conditioning on campus. Photovoltaic air conditioning donation enterprise is [Shenzhen Sandisolar New Energy Technology Co.Ltd.]. On October 10, the partners and technical engineers of the donation company entered the school to survey, and the principal, logistics director and Zhi walker cooperated to complete the survey of the top floor and the power distribution room. At present, a photovoltaic air conditioning equipment has been introduced into Jianghua No. 2 Middle School and placed in the PEER space, and the students have recorded the air conditioning power generation independently to observe the energy-saving effect.

Publicity article on Sustainable Campus Construction Project of Yuanling No. 6 Middle School (Winter 2023)

[1] Campus water quality survey | sustainable campus in the eyes of middle school students

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/l5lM7T-e_IgZFnDlgGvL4g

[2] What might campuses look like in 2070? | Display of sustainable campus project of Yuanling No. 6 High School

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/9QCqcdgHgQdM8M3X65blvw