(March 14, 2008) -- As the 300 physics students finally arrive at their electricity unit, Physics teacher Gerald Gruss and Technology Literacy teacher Roger Smith introduce the ‘Lighting Efficiency’ lab, made possible by a $10,000 "A+ for Energy" grant from British Petroleum.

Gruss noticed the excitement of the freshmen to get the lab going. "I explained what was to go on, and when I asked for volunteers to help me with the set-up, they literally jumped up to get to it," Gruss said. Among the 300 students involved in ‘Lighting Efficiency’ is Meghedi Darabedian, who chose to stay at enrichment at the lab’s kick-off.

The lab calls for the students to measure the light intensity given off and the electrical power consumed by three light bulbs—incandescent, compact fluorescent and the new white LED light bulbs—to compare their efficiency. Even though the actual lab wasn’t incorporated into class time yet, Darabedian says that she is already motivated to change her lighting at home to help the environment and the electricity bill.

After analyzing which of the three bulbs is the most efficient, the students will move to the application component of the lab—investigating the efficiency of other devices such as monitors, computers, hair dryers and vacuum pumps. Gruss said that the lab will not only enhance the students’ knowledge of physics, but also expand their technology skills.

In fact, Darabedian mostly connects her experience during enrichment with the movie she watched about light production, thinking of the lab as a way to compare energy and brightness rather than a way to consider the conservation of energy and electrical circuits.

During the same week that the lab began, Gruss began to work on a new grant proposal, one that would permit students to checkout their own power meters. His hope is to see students apply the knowledge they receive from this lab in their personal lives. "I’d love to see them apply it at home," he said, "for them to consider their energy use and what they can do to tread well on this earth, as far as taking care not to waste resources."