ARCADIAN PHOTO BY SUSAN E. HOFFMAN, shoffman@sun-herald.com

Mary Ward, left, from Ashton Elementary in Sarasota, Mindy Stroup and Donna Yannias, both from Sallie Jones Elementary in Charlotte County, and Ed Wolff from Belle Terre Elementary in Flagler County measure the amount of solar energy using various types of solar panels. They were among several teachers from All over the state who attended a solar power workshop given by FPL in DeSoto County on Thursday.

ARCADIAN PHOTO BY SUSAN E. HOFFMAN, shoffman@sun-herald.com

Anji McStravic, left, from the City of Fort Myers, Susie Hassett from Littleton Elementary in Lee County, Heidi Brennan from Tortuga Preserve in Lee County, and Barbara Cedeno, energy manager of the Lee County School District try to find the optimum angle to place a solar panel to gather the maximum amount of energy. Teachers spent a day learning aout solar power at an FPL workshop, and also learned about available grants they might seek for their own classrooms.

ARCADIAN PHOTO BY SUSAN E. HOFFMAN, shoffman@sun-herald.com

Ed Hashey from Wakeland Elementary, left, and Laurie Boulden and Karen Whelan of Vero Beach Elementary adjust a solar panel to the ideal angle, using a protractor, to generate the most power. They were among dozens of teachers taking place in a solar power workshop sponsored by FLP in DeSoto County. The workshop included a tour of FPL's solar panel field in DeSoto, as well as experiments the teachers can take back to their classrooms.

ARCADIAN PHOTO BY SUSAN E. HOFFMAN, shoffman@sun-herald.com

Stephanie Pierce, left, from Estero High School, Anaze Alaira from Centennial West in St. Lucie County, Dave Pauolis from Dunbar High School, and Eunice Cavalcanti of Centellial West try different types of solar cells to see which generates the jmost power. They are taking part in an experiment in which they have play money to purchase various solar equipment to generate power for an imaginary town. The exercise, part of a workshop given by FPL, teaches educators ways to incorporate solar power lessons in their own classrooms. The workshop was held in DeSoto County and included a tour of the 25 megawatt solar generating array there.