In partnership with Rensselaer City School District, Questar III BOCES is expanding its Green Technologies and Renewable Energy program to Rensselaer County. The program, which started in September 2011 at Columbia-Greene Educational Center in Hudson, will also be available at Rensselaer High School starting in September 2012.
Questar III Assistant Superintendent Andy DeFeo said the partnership with Rensselaer City will allow more students to learn about a growing field, renewable and alternative energies.
“Questar III, in cooperation with our school districts has worked hard to make sure that our programs prepare students for high wage, high skill, and high demand professions. The Green Technology and Renewable Energy program is an excellent example of where we are headed with our Career and Technical Education programs,” said DeFeo. “Rensselaer City School District has an excellent facility to host the program and the leadership of the school district has been outstanding to help this program to be offered in Rensselaer County.”
Rensselaer City officials approached Questar III about expanding the program. According to Superintendent Sally Shields, the district wanted to provide a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program that offered students a new pathway to career education.
“Locating the Questar Green Tech and Renewable Energy CTE Program within the Rensselaer City School District demonstrates a true cooperative model between a BOCES and a component school district. It is our belief that all students, regardless of their postsecondary plans, should experience both traditional and applied learning in preparing themselves for a career,” Shields said.
Questar III and the Rensselaer City School District have worked with staff at Hudson Valley Community College to make sure that the Green Technology and Renewable Energy program provides a “career pathway” into the renewable energies programs offered at HVCC. Students will also utilize the lab at HVCC on Fridays and will receive college credit for their DC Electricity course as a part of the program.
Questar III’s Green Technologies and Renewable Energy course prepares high school seniors for emerging careers that can literally make a world of difference. Students learn about solar and photovoltaic energy, wind technology, energy saving solutions and efficiency, as well as renewable energy. Students complete a DC Electricity course and are eligible to receive five college credits through Hudson Valley Community College. The program includes work-based learning, a senior project, and networking with local businesses and research facilities.
