Anna Foutz

"Taking the Sun With You!" is a program developed by Foutz to help students appreciate and understand the power of the sun and the basics of electricity. The 30 participating students from John W. North High School will construct their own "solar backpack," a backpack with a solar panel installed on it that can be used for charging their cell phones, MP3 players, and other electronic devices. The program will use a hands-on, minds-on approach to teach the students about the fundamentals of electricity and solar energy, help students appreciate technology, and give them confidence to study other ways to use solar power for larger projects. As the students carry their backpacks between home and school, the program aims to create curiosity and encourage conversations with hundreds of their peers, teachers, and community members regarding the use of solar energy. Foutz hopes her students will realize that they can make a difference in the world by applying their knowledge to make small and simple changes that can lead to larger ones. Foutz resides in Highland.