In April of 2010 the very first post-secondary educational institution opened its doors. Ecotech Institute in Aurora, Colorado offers students a chance to complete coursework in energy efficiency practices, sustainable design and renewable energy. As a proprietary college, the curriculum offered at Ecotech is highly specific and for use in specific vocations.
The geographic location of the college is no accident. The state government has a long history of environmentally conservative policies. It is the least densely populated state in the nation, and residents are known for being active in the striking natural landscape of the state. Thus, Colorado has the lowest rate of adult obesity in the US. There are significant amounts of natural resources in Colorado, yet they are right alongside 18 government protected parks. Clearly there is great importance placed on the preservation of the natural environment.
The actual building Ecotech resides in is also significant in its design and structure. In 1998 the US Green Building Council developed a rating system by which structures and neighborhoods are can be designed and constructed using sustainable design. The framework addresses materials, layout, assembly, operations and maintenance activities. Applied to existing or new structures and neighborhoods, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program sets the standard and aligns itself with other rating systems already in play, such as those used by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Ecotech Institute building has been given a Gold LEED rating, the second highest rating possible. There are solar panels in place on the roof and solar trees on the grounds. Motion sensitive lighting is used throughout the building, but only when daylighting is not in use. Wind turbines on the roof take advantage of the intense weather that can occasionally make its way across Colorado.
The faculty is populated by professionals with hands-on experience in working with all manner of energy efficient technologies. In this way, students are able to develop their own hands-on experience and offer greater value to an employer down the road. Aside from the core curriculum of solar and wind technologies, Ecotech also offers labs and courses in applied sciences, electrical engineering technology, sustainable interior design, and environmental paralegal.
Ecotech Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), and the US Department of Education. However, the courses at Ecotech are not regionally accredited at state colleges and universities. Employers are accepting the credentials awarded by Ecotech to their students, at an entry level.
Although the LEED rating system has been in place for over 13 years, the lessons it strives to teach engineers, designers and builders are still emerging as a priority. Structures are still being built with traditional methods, not utilizing sustainable design or materials. For the most part the reasons are financial, as LEED's buildings are more expensive to build at the outset. The building industry needs to recognize and act on the belief that ecological design and construction will mean lower costs of living in the long term. The graduates of Ecotech Institute surely have this task in mind as they enter the job market.
The geographic location of the college is no accident. The state government has a long history of environmentally conservative policies. It is the least densely populated state in the nation, and residents are known for being active in the striking natural landscape of the state. Thus, Colorado has the lowest rate of adult obesity in the US. There are significant amounts of natural resources in Colorado, yet they are right alongside 18 government protected parks. Clearly there is great importance placed on the preservation of the natural environment.
The actual building Ecotech resides in is also significant in its design and structure. In 1998 the US Green Building Council developed a rating system by which structures and neighborhoods are can be designed and constructed using sustainable design. The framework addresses materials, layout, assembly, operations and maintenance activities. Applied to existing or new structures and neighborhoods, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program sets the standard and aligns itself with other rating systems already in play, such as those used by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Ecotech Institute building has been given a Gold LEED rating, the second highest rating possible. There are solar panels in place on the roof and solar trees on the grounds. Motion sensitive lighting is used throughout the building, but only when daylighting is not in use. Wind turbines on the roof take advantage of the intense weather that can occasionally make its way across Colorado.
The faculty is populated by professionals with hands-on experience in working with all manner of energy efficient technologies. In this way, students are able to develop their own hands-on experience and offer greater value to an employer down the road. Aside from the core curriculum of solar and wind technologies, Ecotech also offers labs and courses in applied sciences, electrical engineering technology, sustainable interior design, and environmental paralegal.
Ecotech Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), and the US Department of Education. However, the courses at Ecotech are not regionally accredited at state colleges and universities. Employers are accepting the credentials awarded by Ecotech to their students, at an entry level.
Although the LEED rating system has been in place for over 13 years, the lessons it strives to teach engineers, designers and builders are still emerging as a priority. Structures are still being built with traditional methods, not utilizing sustainable design or materials. For the most part the reasons are financial, as LEED's buildings are more expensive to build at the outset. The building industry needs to recognize and act on the belief that ecological design and construction will mean lower costs of living in the long term. The graduates of Ecotech Institute surely have this task in mind as they enter the job market.
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