Voc tech students display energy-efficiency techniques at Rhode Island Home Show

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 3/5/15

If you are attending the 65th Rhode Island Home Show this weekend, stop by the Energy Expo to see two exhibitions displayed by Warwick students.

The Warwick Area Career and Technical Center is …

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Voc tech students display energy-efficiency techniques at Rhode Island Home Show

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If you are attending the 65th Rhode Island Home Show this weekend, stop by the Energy Expo to see two exhibitions displayed by Warwick students.

The Warwick Area Career and Technical Center is sending students from the Electrical and Construction Trades programs to the Home Show to display different ways to make homes more energy-efficient.

William McCaffrey, director of the Area and Technical Center, said that the students are participating thanks to a relationship with the Rhode Island Builders Association that stage the Home Show every year.

He said, “Having the students at the Home Show really highlights the link between industry and school. They need future employees and they look to successful school programs to partner with.”

John Marcantonio, executive director of the Rhode Island Builders Association, said the association has been trying to strengthen their ties with technical schools because they are training future employees of the industry. He believes by having the students manage their own exhibits they can get real world experience.

“They are the future folks of this industry, and a key part of this industry is being able to explain what’s going on to someone who may not have the same knowledge. It’s a real world way for them to use what they’ve learned,” Marcantonio said.

Michael Haynes, an instructor for the Construction Trades program, said that publicly demonstrating everything students have learned can help boost their confidence and is a good opportunity to get to know what it will be like when they enter into the field.

Electrical Program students crafted a panel that uses different generations of light bulbs and measures the electrical output to show which is the most energy-efficient and the most cost-effective. Construction Trades students will demonstrate a test, which measure air exchanges and heat loss, to show the efficiency of different insulations.

Derek Penta, a 10th grader from Toll Gate in the Construction Trades program, said, “It’s a great feeling to know that we can help educate people on energy efficiency and the little things they can do to help their families be more comfortable in their homes without wasting energy.”

When Marcantonio picked up the exhibits from the center, he said the students were ecstatic about participating in the Home Show and proud of all the work they have done.

He said, “These students are up on all the latest techniques, and I think people are going to be shocked at how well-versed and knowledgeable these students are.”

“This allows us to demonstrate what’s actually happening at the career and technical center. They can showcase everything they have learned and their high quality skills within their field,” McCaffrey said.

The Home Show is Thursday until Sunday at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and the show is free to children 15 and younger.

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