Schools

Microburst Learning Donates Biofuel Processer to District 5

South Carolina-based training firm Microburst Learning donated a biofuel processor to the Center for Advanced Technical Studies on Oct. 3.

Submitted by Lexington-Richland 5

Students in Lexington-Richland School District Five have a new tool for exploring alternative energy.

South Carolina-based training firm Microburst Learning donated a biofuel processor to the Center for Advanced Technical Studies on Oct. 3.  The equipment, valued at nearly $4,500, will be used to give students hands-on experience in making and utilizing biofuel. Officials hope it will also prompt students to begin thinking of new concepts and possible careers in the alternative energy sector.

Center Director Dr. Bob Couch said, “The donation will allow our students to stay on the cutting edge of the new generation of sustainable energy. We’re extremely grateful and excited about what this will mean to our staff and students.”

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The Center has several programs that will utilize the new equipment including its alternative energy, automotive technology and biosystems engineering programs. Microburst Learning CEO Jordy Johnson said the donation to The Center was also an investment in South Carolina’s future business sector. 

“I think from a business standpoint, if all businesses jump in and provide services for the schools then we’re going to get the kind of employees we want for the future. If we don’t, we’re going to get what we deserve,” Johnson said. “We as South Carolinians have to support each other in every level. So, any donations of time or effort are going to be essential ingredients in our success as it relates to education and business in the state.”

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Johnson added that the donation was made possible due to The Center’s existing, well established courses and through the urging of officials with Midlands Biofuels and Carolina Training Associates. District Five, the District 5 Foundation for Educational Excellence (D5FEE) and Midlands Biofuels signed an agreement in August to encourage local restaurants to sell their used cooking oil to Midlands Biofuels. As part of the Biodiesel 4 District 5 Schools initiative, a percentage of the payment for each gallon of cooking oil purchased by or donated to Midlands Biofuels will be given back to the Foundation to be used for education grants and projects in the district. District Five is the first district in South Carolina to implement the Biodiesel 4 Schools initiative.

Midlands Biofuels Owner Joe Renwick said, “The biofuel processor donation is significant for several reasons. Number one, we’ve saved the school district money. Also, this biodiesel processor directly ties into the Biodiesel 4 Schools program that District Five has just initiated. Now, we’re able to collect waste cooking oil here in the school district. And that will be brought back to The Center and turned into biofuel to run whatever equipment or buses the schools want to run.”

Marshall Millican with Carolina Training Associates added, “The donation … it’s really about developing a mindset of how we can get away from being dependent on specific types of energy. Our students will be the leaders in that.”

Students witnessing the donation on Oct. 3 were already beginning to think of the ways the new equipment and biofuels could be utilized. 

“I think it’s going to be a big help to us to learn how to change our cars from diesel to biodiesel,” said Automotive Technology student Tony Cumbee. “It’s something I’d consider doing because I’m thinking of bringing my Silverado up here and doing it myself.” 

Aqui Barr, also an Auto Tech student, added, “It’s going to be really useful. Right now we’re building our own go cart in class and we’re learning a little about biodiesel. So, I think it’s going to be a big help for us and for people who don’t know anything about biodiesel – if we go around telling people about it.”


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