U-46 teacher receives grant for his alternative fuel source project

Worm poop and sugar beets might not be the most appetizing sources of alternative energy, but at Streamwood High School, they're proving effective.

For the second time this year, science teacher Greg Reiva has received a $10,000 BP grant to fuel the school's alternative energy project.

Reiva, a 13-year Streamwood veteran, is a longtime energy conservation advocate. He was named 2005 Master Energy Teacher by Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn.

As part of the project, students are investigating the technology and application of fuel cells, solar cells and wind turbines - all potential alternative energy sources.

"The other half of the proposal is to work on energy conservation initiatives in our own building," he said.

Here's where the worm poop and sugar beets come in.

Students, under the watchful eye of Reiva, special education teacher Jeanette Hubiak and ELL teacher Ellie Colon, this year farmed between 10,000 and 12,000 earthworms, harvesting their nutrient-rich poop (called "castings" in the scientific community).

After winter break, students began growing basil plants, using the castings as a fertilizer.

"We got really dramatic results in the growth rates of these plants over time," he said.

Next year, Reiva said, classes will begin growing sugar beets with "the most effective concentration" of worm droppings, aiming to ferment the root vegetables into ethanol.

"Brazil is completely energy independent because they turn sugar into ethanol," he said. "Why not us?"

Close to 200 students were involved in the project this year, Reiva said. Next year, the added grant money will allow double that amount to participate.

What motivates Reiva, he said "is to increase the learning opportunities for kids. The only way I can think of doing it is project based."

At, what Reiva calls "a critical time for our nation", schools need to open up the discussion about alternative energy sources.

"These guys are getting it, man," he said.

Reiva was one of five Kane County teachers to receive a BP grant. Also awarded were Clay Sewell, a teacher at Aurora's Illinois Math and Science Academy and Elizabeth Woods of Dundee Crown High School in Carpentersville for her sustainability-mobile energy fair product idea.