"What happens to society when oil runs out?"

That's the question posed to students at Marysville Arts & Technology High School in a 3-year project designed by the school's science, technology, electronics, mathematics and manufacturing (STEMM) teachers.

For the first phase of the project, students are challenged to invent totally new ways to conserve and create energy, and better ways to use existing resources.

"The entire school is involved in one way or another," said manufacturing teacher Mike Fitzpatrick. "The theme of energy production and conservation is being incorporated into reading, writing and thinking exercises in all the classes."

The school received a PUD mini-grant for the research-based project, and has developed ongoing partnerships with the Future of Flight Center and ITT Tech along with the PUD's conservation department. Representatives of the TESLA Motor Car Company of Seattle, another project partner, even brought two of the sleek all-electric cars to the school on January 22 for a demonstration of the company's technology for STEMM students.

Referring to the crowd of students vying for a look at the stylish roadsters, Fitzpatrick commented, "This helps to show the whole school how cool education can be, and that science and math really matter."

A&T students are already buying into the thesis. Kim Wagner and Amanda Vitcovich have proposed a sustainable, environmentally-safe, recycled plastic tray for fast food service, similar to those used in other countries. One student has proposed installing windmills adjacent to freeways to capture the energy expended by speeding automobiles, and another envisions solar panels in floors that would recycle light from overhead electric fixtures. Or how about capturing the vibrations of thousands of walking feet to power lights and reader boards in subway tunnels?

Jenni Lamarca, the education programs coordinator for the PUD, was excited about the TESLA auto demonstration and enthusiastic about the school's energy-related theme.

"We offer grants to schools, and even individual teachers, to help educate students about how electricity works as an energy source," said Lamarca. "It's in our best interest, as an industry and a community partner, to foster creativity and innovation."

At the end of the 2010 school year, A&T STEMM students will participate in a judged contest demonstrating their solutions for ways a school or community may continue to function when classic energy is nearly beyond reach.

"The whole project is designed to make kids think about the future, and their part in it," Fitzpatrick said. "A future without abundant oil doesn't have to apocalyptic, Mad Max-style. We just need to start working on solutions now."