In 2009, a group of Ohio State students in the Engineering, Architectural, and Environmental programs entered their solar energy-based home project into the Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C. Placing 8th among 20 international college teams, their creation has become what is now the E3 Learning Lab in New Albany. After being entered into the Solar Decathlon, an event sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the home was donated to New Albany-Plain Local Schools (NAPLS). From there, after five years of fundraising efforts by Bill Resch, a past Environmental & Outdoor Education Consultant for NAPLS, it was transformed into a classroom for NAPLS.

Easton understands the importance of science and environmental education and seeks to find ways to support these opportunities in our communities. Through a donation of funds, Easton was able to help transition this energy-efficient home to a classroom. The classroom is used today as a learning space focusing on three main topics: engineering, energy, and the environment (where it gets the “E3” in its name!). The curriculum for the program is based on hands-on, inquiry-based learning, challenging students to think harder about what makes science such an essential part of our world.

The Easton Community Foundation is proud to have been a part of making this classroom available for valuable learning opportunities within NAPLS.