Building a Sustainable Community
Clearwater and Missoula College provide a hands-on learning opportunity for students to use sustainable building technology.
In the spring of 2018, Clearwater Credit Union partnered with Missoula College, Mountain Line, and ASUM Transportation to formalize plans for a new solar-powered campus bus shelter. This environmentally friendly structure was not only a showcase of sustainable construction practices but a monument to the importance of empowering students through experiential learning.
The project goals were to not only improve the quality of access to public transportation and introduce renewable energy technology to power an ATM, but also to involve students in the fabrication of the structure. Welding, heavy equipment, as well as carpentry and sustainable construction students, were able to take the techniques learned in the classroom and apply them to a tangible, real-world project.
Nolee Anderson
Carpentry & Sustainable Construction student at the Missoula College
As a student, it’s a little nerve-racking to be like ‘uh-oh-it’s going to go out there and everyone is going to know that we made it.’ But now that we put it all together, it’s a good, accomplished feeling.
Collaborating with the faculty and students at Missoula College was a fantastic way for Clearwater to demonstrate our commitment to empowering people and protecting the environment in a meaningful way. For the students who participated, the immersive learning component of this project was essential because they developed a better understanding of the steps needed to guide a project from idea to completion.
One of the philosophies at the forefront of Clearwater’s community outreach efforts is our continued commitment to values-based banking, including positive contributions to the environment, to our members, and to the local economy. The solar-powered bus shelter at Missoula College is a great demonstration of our ability to harness renewable energy, add value to our members, make our community a little greener, and bring more banking services to the campus.
This story was originally published on February 11, 2019.