Streamwood High first in state in STEM contest

A plan to teach students about energy management and green housing while helping homeowners earned Streamwood High School the top spot in Illinois in a nationwide contest.

Engineering and manufacturing teacher Matt Erbach submitted the winning lesson plan for Samsung's Solve for Tomorrow contest, which means the school will receive $20,000 worth of technology for students. The competition encourages teachers and students to improve their communities by using science, technology, engineering and math.

Erbach's lesson, for his architecture and civil engineering class, aims to give students hands-on experience on a normally dry subject, he said.

"The curriculum has a lot of very dry stuff that doesn't have a lot of meaning for the kids," said Erbach, who's taught within Elgin Area School District U -46 for eight years. "I wanted the students to engage with it because it really is a meaningful, globally beneficial topic."

The school is among 51 state winners nationwide - selected from more than 3,100 applicants, including more than 50 from Illinois - that will compete for a share of $2 million in technology.

The Streamwood students will use thermal imaging cameras to look for heat leaks in homes throughout Streamwood, Erbach said.

They will then analyze the data and try to figure out easy, low- or no-cost insulating techniques to mitigate the leaks and help the homeowners, he said.

"It's exposure to the real world, " he said. "I want to make it real for them. The problem is when you do it as just a math assignment or work sheet, the kids don't see the value in. This way, I'm hoping they can see they can help the community with what they know."

Erbach is planning to implement his plan after winter break in January. Elgin Community College's energy management department will loan the thermal imaging cameras, and ECC professors will lend expertise.

The 51 state finalists have to submit a video of their completed project by Feb. 13; the top 15 finalists will be selected March 1, Erbach said.

Erbach wasn't the only Streamwood teacher to apply for the contest. Greg Reiva's project consisted of growing organic vegetables and producing organic fertilizer using fish and worms.

Erbach also plans to produce a guide - both in hard and electronic copies - listing tips for residents to reduce heating and cooling costs in their homes.