UAH celebrates Earth Day 2015

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) will Go Green this week in celebration of Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22. Several events have been planned including an Earth Day Block Party, Switchblade Windmill Competition and a keynote address by Huntsville weather legend Robert "Bob" Baron.

The day begins with opening remarks from Dr. Sundar Christopher, Dean of the UAH College of Science. Campus and community vendors and booths will feature giveaways, food and seedlings. The Earth Day block party featuring live music begins at noon on the Central Campus Greenway.

Switchblade Windmill Competition Test Day at UAH is from noon to 3:30 p.m., in the lobby of the Shelby Center for Science and Technology. The wind turbine contest challenges high school and college students to redesign and manufacture the blades of a military wind power system made especially for the high speed winds of Afghanistan. The team that produces the most electricity with low speeds indicative of Alabama, wins the contest. Awards will be presented immediately after the competition.

Entrepreneur and legendary Huntsville meteorologist Bob Baron will give the closing Earth Day address. Baron is the founder, president and CEO of Baron Services, and a former broadcast meteorologist.

Earth Week 2015 is celebrated April 20-25. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin is the founder of Earth Day, first observed on April 22, 1970 .

To volunteer for UAH Earth Day activities, please contact Haley Hix, sustainability coordinator at 256.824.2545.