100% of your donation
goes straight to solar panels at SMS.

Sacajawea's Solar Story

On November 3, 2015, a bond was passed to expand Sacajawea Middle School (SMS). This expansion will cost the Bozeman School District $10-16 million, and will take two years. Mid-way through 7th grade, I hatched the idea to make solar energy part of the renovation project, and have talked with our principal, Mr. Gordon Grissom, who supports the idea. Together we brought the idea to the architects and contractors at Martel Construction. At the meeting, I was told this idea was too ambitious because it will cost roughly $150,000. As more people became interested in the idea, a feasibility study was done, but still the budget is quite high; expert installers estimate if SMS’s electricity was completely solar, it would cost $130,000. I am determined to raise this money, and with your help, as well as grants and crowdfunding sites, I will. The timing for solar panels coincides well with the new remodel that started this past summer so placing the solar panels on the roof now is energy effective. In fact, the roof will now be solar ready. All that is needed to improve our school with solar electricity is funding, and support from this community. This website is to raise the money we need so all of Bozeman can become a better place. ​​What started as a solo project has grown to include interested students from all grades at SMS.

Claire Vlases, 8th grader

And More...

  • Look for us at crowd funding sites such as GoFundMe and Kickstarter, soon.
  • I presented my idea to the Bozeman School board and an article was posted in the local paper. Click on the "read article' button below to read my pitch. There even was an editorial too! Click "read editorial" to read it.
  • Also, the school district just donated $25,000 to this cause. Hooray! 
  • ​I really need fundraising tips. If you have an idea about who or what I should contact for support, please let me know through the contact link.
  • For even more information, look into the benefits of solar.

Links