On Tuesday REACH went to the RichmondBUILD training facility to co-host a lighting science and application workshop with Energy Conservation Options (ECO), a local green contractor. It was a fantastic event if I do say so myself. Fifteen students gathered for the workshop and got exposure to energy efficient lighting technology, a history of lighting, commonly used lighting in retrofits, practical knowledge of how to engage customers and tools to help them land a job with a green contractor.
Dahlia Moodie, President of ECO, started the workshop by exposing students to common lighting technology being replaced by energy efficient lighting. She Showed students the technology of the past and helped them identify different forms of inefficient bulbs. Dahlia also provided valuable information about running a contracting businesses. Students were very interested to hear about what it takes to get a green job and they were able to speak with Dahlia one on one about the contractor business.
The lighting workshop continued with a presentation from Lighting Application Specialist, Tara Bowerman and REACH Program Director, Michael Gutman (me). After having the students form into groups and rank different lighting in terms of energy efficiency, we informed them of technical terms that are helpful for anyone making lighting recommendations for a project. Terms like kelvin, CRI, lighting temperature, lumens and foot candles are all very important when trying to decide the right type of lighting for specific applications.
We brought in a bunch of different bulbs so students could get their hands on all types of lighting technology and actually feel and see the difference of each. At the end of the presentation, students were given a couple different scenarios where they were asked to give there own recommendations on how to light an office and a kitchen. They then presented the material like they were presenting it in front of a client so they could use the terms they learned and apply them in a real world setting.
REACH also donated an LED lighting display where students can actually play with different types of LED lights. The display resides in the RichmondBUILD training facility for all to see and play with.
It was great to work with RichmondBUILD and we hope to work together in the future. We wish all the students the best of luck getting into the green job force.
