Geothermal energy can also be captured from heat pumps. Heat pumps tap into the heat near the Earth’s surface. This type of energy capturing can be used to heat water supplies or heat/cool buildings. Geothermal heat pumps transfer heat by pumping water or a refrigerant through pipes (also known as heat exchangers) below the Earth’s surface. During the winter months the water and refrigerants absorb heat from the Earth and deliver it to buildings and such. During summer months pumps are ...

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Geothermal energy is heat derived from the Earth. It is both clean and sustainable. It can be excavated from shallow ground, hot water, hot rocks, and magma. Geothermal energy can be extracted through power plants and heat pumps.

There are three types of geothermal power plants. The first type is called dry steam and uses heat from deep within the Earth to generate steam, which produces electricity. Wells drill into the Earth and pump hot water to the surface under high pressures. Once at...

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Have “power down” days. We humans are addicted to electricity and all its accompanying gadgets. There should be a few days each year (once per season is nice) where the family “powers down.” This means no TV, music, computer, electric lights, etc. (You can still eat, of course, but try using the more natural gas stove instead of microwave radiation.) My husband and I have powered down for many a Winter Solstice. It’s a way of slowing life down for a bit and reconnecting with each ot...
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In the early 1960s, The United States had three times as many scientists as countries such as the Soviet Union. It was spending seven times more money on scientific research than Europe. The United States had made 80 percent of all scientific discoveries from the 1930s to the 1960s. Not surprisingly, the United States has been the dominant science superpower since the 1950s.

The United States owes its status to its investment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educat...
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Do you want to develop a healthier lifestyle?
Do you want to embrace green living?
Do you want to help save the planet?
Do you want to lose weight?

Try the city sponsored "prescription" being followed by Parisians, Londoners, Berliners, Brazilians, the Dutch, and very soon... New Yorkers!  

Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and a group of elected officials announced the big plan for public bikes around NYC. Some key facts are: 

Within the service area, which will stretch fro...

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NASA Quest Challenges are Web-based, interactive explorations designed to engage students in authentic scientific and engineering processes. The solutions relate to issues encountered daily by NASA personnel.

The content of NASA Quest Challenges follows real NASA tasks with the goal of involving young people in developing tomorrow's solutions, while inspiring them towards careers in science and engineering. As students work in teams to mirror NASA career roles, agency experts are available to ...

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A recent research study done by Behavioral Economists pointed out to considerable findings about how individuals feel rewarded after looking at certain types of images.  We decided to run our own tests and the result is below.


By looking at this picture you should feel relaxed.
 

This picture is likely to make you feel collaborative.
 
 
This picture is likely to make you feel calm.


This picture is likely to make you feel heroic! 

Now that we got you inspired by the Natural Environment, let's get to ...
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Join or host one of our STEM education workshops!

Give us a call or send an email to: website [@] microempowering.com and we can coordinate our agendas or provide you with a vast list of resources and materials such as;

Resources:
PBS, public television stations and content producers rely on organizations like the following to help us stay informed about STEM initiatives.

International Society for Technology in Education: ISTE is the premier membership association for educators and educati...
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Interested in volunteering on Earth Day?
 
According to Christine C. Quinn Speaker of NYC Council and James F. Gennaro Chair, Environmental Protection Committee - NYC Council. The 35 ways to Celebrate Earth day and give back to the Planet are listed on the links below: 

FRIDAY, APRIL 20
Earth Day Indoors at Grand Central Terminal - www.grandcentralterminal.com 
Earth Day in Times Square - http://www.earthdayny.org/ 
NY Public library Stories, Songs and Activities That Celebrate Our Earth - www.nypl...
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These vents have naturally acidified waters that hint at how our seas might change if atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to rise. They are conditions that would make it harder for corals and similar organisms to make the hard parts in their bodies.

Dr Jason Hall-Spencer's work suggests our oceans could lose perhaps 30% of their biodiversity this century. The Plymouth University researcher has been presenting his latest findings to a major conference in Vancouver, Canada.

"I am inves...
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The Food and Drug Administration's about-face on the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), which is used to harden the plastic of sippy cups and baby bottles and to seal the inside of tin cans, could spur the adoption of bills in the California Legislature and U.S. Congress to restrict the chemical.

Despite a 2008 determination under President George W. Bush that the chemical was safe, the Obama administration said Friday that it would spend $30 million to study the effects of BPA. which has been lin...
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What do you think of sustainable houses?
The technology used for building is improving every day, but if it's a super energy-efficient dwelling you're after, the tools are already well at hand. Once a year, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association organizes a green buildings open house where energy nerds like us can see the latest in home efficiency. 


Source: CNET

On the other hand, if you want to built a different house, to be in harmony with nature. You might want to consider these inexpen...
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This is a great idea, kudos to Katherine V. Smith and her team at The Center for Corporate Citizenship (at Boston University). We hope other Universities will do the same.

"Dear MicroEmpowering, 

As the world begins to comprehend the devastating impact of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, the Center extends its deepest sympathies to the people and businesses struggling against extraordinary circumstances. Our community of companies includes several headquartered in Japan and hundreds of othe...

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By Enel.com

Rome, 2010 - Enel inaugurated the “Archimede” solar thermal power plant at Priolo Gargallo (Syracuse, Sicily). First in the world to use molten-salt technology integrated with a combined-cycle plant.

Participating in the ceremony together with the CEO and General Manager of Enel, Fulvio Conti, were, among others, the Minister for the Environment, Stefania Prestigiacomo, the President of the Province of Syracuse, Nicola Bono, and the Mayor of Priolo Gargallo, Antonello Rizza. ...

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by Scott Gilmore - May 21, 2010. Scott Gilmore is the Executive Director of Peace Dividend Trust.

I was sitting at the great Irish pub across from the office watching the Yankees game, when a clip of Sean Penn came on.  Turns out he’s in Haiti now.  (I thought he was in jail, but I don’t keep up like I should.)  Sean has set up a clinic or a school, or something, and Haiti is  doing much better now, thank you very much.  Somehow this didn’t surprise me.  I thought that’s ...

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