GIFT 2008 - Georgia Power Plant McDonough 
August 2008

(Article follows this YouTube video.)



GIFT is a CEISMC program that places teachers into research or corporate environments each summer. East Cobb Middle School Teacher Nicole Satchell finished her second GIFT summer a few weeks ago. We visited her at Georgia Power Plant McDonough to find out what her summer experience was all about.

Q - What have you been up to this summer?

This summer I'm working in the compliance and chemistry areas at Georgia Power. The chemistry area tests the raw materials and just makes sure that materials that are going through the process are meeting certain specifications. The compliance area makes sure that the plant meets all types of environmental standards and regulations. It's quite an involved job.

Q - Any interesting observations?

Georgia Power is so environmentally conscious. Even this plant is going from being coal-driven to, within a couple of years, natural gas. That will be a huge plus as far as the environment here in metro Atlanta. Another thing that's interesting is that so many people at this plant have been working here for 20 and 30 plus years, and these people will soon be retiring. However, there's not enough people with the skills necessary to fill in these jobs. So I as a teacher can take from this experience and go back to the classroom and enlighten my students saying, "Have you ever thought about working in a power plant?"

Q - How are you going to bring this experience back into your classroom?

I teach earth science and energy is something that's part of our curriculum. So when I start talking about energy in general, and then we talk about the power plant, I'll say I worked at a power plant and this is how it's done. I'll be able to give them a lot more information than just the simple diagram that's in the textbook.

All of these people [at Georgia Power]--regardless of whether they are equipment operators or plant management--need to have very good oral and communication skills. They need to know how to problem-solve, analyze, synthesize. We talk about Bloom's taxonomy. That's right here--and not the bottom part--it's at the upper level. It reinforces what we as teachers have been told, trying to get our children to use higher-order thinking skills. I'll be stressing that from day one and talking about that and getting them to think about what it is they would like to do.

Q - We parked by a big building with water pouring down its sides. What was that?

The cooling towers--that's a brand new addition to our system here. Before the cooling towers, water was taken in from the river, used in the process, and put back. We're talking about a lot of water. Millions of gallons. The water was taken from the river initially to get the process going, but with the cooling towers it's more of a closed-loop system. Some water does go back to the river eventually, and from time to time maybe some water will have to be taken but the majority of the water that is used here is again in a closed-loop system. You have got to generate steam because the steam turns the turbines. To get the water to that level we're not talking about 212 [degrees Fahrenheit] so the water can boil. We're talking about temperatures up to 2000+ degrees Fahrenheit under extreme pressures as well. You have the water that's hot, but if I'm going to use it again it's going to have to be cooled. So the water condenses. It's carried out to the cooling towers and it's cooled down. And then it just recirculates and does the whole thing all over again.

At the top of the cooling towers, if you get real close, you can see what looks like smoke. But it's not smoke. It's actually air with a little bit of water vapor in it. And that's it! That's all we're putting back into the environment.

Q - Testimonial time. How has GIFT benefitted you, and how are you helping out Georgia Power?

I think the GIFT program is excellent for both teachers and corporations. The teacher is able to see firsthand a real world application of what he or she is supposed to be doing in the classroom. The teacher can see how all things are integrated into everyday functions in an everyday real-world company, which will enhance his or her teaching abilities come fall.

For companies, GIFT is an opportunity for them to see what teachers are doing in their classrooms. A teacher can say they are a sixth grade science teacher like myself, and from their perspectives they can find out what a sixth grade science teacher teaches. Also, they'll be able to say to these teachers, "You know, we really would love for new hires to come to us with these skills. Could you please make sure that your students are learning this or understanding this?" or even, "Hey, keep us in mind when they're thinking about different employment avenues." So GIFT really is a gift to teachers and to companies.