CAT (Centre for Alternative Technology) offers 3 SuperStar accredited workshops, that can also be combined into a MegaStar peroject. The centre is situated in a beautiful part of mid Wales near Snowdonia, has been a leading inspirational Eco centre  over nearly 40 years. CAT is open to general visitors but also works with educational groups from primary through to university and now runs post graduate MScs. Many primary and older groups have visited CAT  and some lecturers and teachers bringing groups back tell us that, a school visit to CAT inspired them to take more interest in the Environment and even led them to the career they are now in. 

Groups can come for a day or stay for a residential. Particularly popular with school groups are our Eco-cabins which have a small renewable electricity system in which the inputs via the solar panels, hydro and wind are monitored. Heating and hot water are from the wood stove and solar water panels. The challenge is to live within our renewable resources although we do provide a back up electricity system too. Groups arrange a programme of activities with us, visit our displays and if there’s time, explore the beautiful area. The  interactives buildings and signs on our seven acre site display many aspects of sustainable living from energy efficient designed buildings to renewable energy, organic growing and food to water usage and consumption issues such as waste and recycling.

Windpower workshop (SuperStar)
Before starting the activity groups are shown some examples of wind turbines and encouraged to come up with ideas about what different factors might affect how fast the turbine turns, before creating their own wind turbines

Eco Buildings workshop (SuperStar)
Practical workshop designing & making model buildings to explore low energy principles

Solar workshop (SuperStar)
The group are taken through the process of joining two PV cells together and making a circuit which includes a motor with a spindle which will turn in adequate light and with the correct circuit. They have access to a variety of materials including a propellor to then make  their models with the circuit. They then make the circuit and take their rig outside to find out if the spindle turns. Once their rig works they plan a model design to make use of the turning spindle and maintaining light levels to the PVs . 

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