The SunPower Foundation announced that it is teaming up with One Million Lights, a Palo Alto-based nonprofit that provides solar lighting to rural communities globally, to launch a solar education program for K-12 schools called One Million Students. The program provides educators with grade-appropriate curriculum structured to increase student understanding of how solar works and how it is being applied to generate clean, renewable energy in locations around the world.

The One Million Students program features three, one-hour lesson plans which highlight real-life case studies on solar technology use worldwide along with interactive learning tools including solar-powered LED lights and solar electricity testing kits. Teachers can choose curriculum based on specific education levels: elementary school, middle school or high school. Plans can be integrated into existing environmental studies, math and science courses, and delivered by SunPower or One Million Lights representatives.

At the beginning of this year, SunPower and One Million Lights piloted the One Million Students program in San Francisco Bay Area classrooms.

"The One Million Students program has touched the hearts and minds of our 270 seventh-grade students," said Curtis Schneider, a teacher at Egan Junior High School in Los Altos, Calif. "During a recent three-day lesson, our students were taught the science of creating light with the sun and then learned how One Million Lights is bringing solar LED lights to those who live in an off-grid world. As a teacher, I value students learning how science can help the planet and those who are less fortunate. Two thumbs up and best wishes for the future of this program."

"SunPower and our employees were pleased to pilot One Million Students in local schools and the positive results have encouraged us to make its valuable curriculum available more broadly," said Doug Richards, SunPower Foundation chairman. "The program will help to educate the next generation of solar leaders about a pressing need for clean energy solutions while increasing their awareness of solar's growing presence around the world."

"We are delighted to be a part of this initiative," said Anna Sidana, founder of One Million Lights. "One Million Students employs a creative approach to education and addresses the critical issue for renewable energy solutions in our lives. This program enables us to bring our global solar light programs full circle by sharing our experiences and knowledge with children here in the States."