Serena Houndonougbo, Year 8

On Monday, 21st October 2024, our class, accompanied by our class teacher Mrs. Mbaka, and our art teacher, Mr David, went on a school trip to ESMER (Ecole Superieure des Metiers des Energies Renouvelables). We left at around 8 30a.m in the school mini bus and arrived at around 9 a.m. ESMER is located in Calavi. The people there greeted us with open arms and we were very excited that we chose to visit their school.

The first thing that happened was that we were led into what seemed like the school’s conference room. We were met by the director and a teacher. My classmate’s, Fiona’s, mother was also present and introduced us to everyone there. We also had an interpreter to translate from French to English. They talked to us about the purpose of the school opening and their enthusiasm to make a change through younger generations.

After a brief overview about the school, it was time to start exploring. Before going anywhere though, we all got safety helmets to wear, since the area is mostly practical. We first went into a classroom full of learning students and the interpreter started explaining different renewable resources, such as solar energy, wind energy and geo-thermal energy. Next we moved to the rooftop of the building. What we saw up there were several solar panels all together, called a solar grid that powered the whole building. He explained to us that when it is night time or the sun isn’t out, there are batteries that store all the energy produced.

The last thing before leaving the university side was to visit the lab. This was where they carried out experiments and tested things. The students could go there when they have a practical assessment. The teacher also included that those who graduated from the school could work as Electrical Engineers at the SBEE (the company dealing with electricity in Benin), or any other establishment. The whole academy is powered without relying on the SBEE but just on the solar energy produced.

Moving on, we left the university side of the school to the high school part. This was where the students would get their formation and basics down. We visited another classroom that was studying solar energy conversion and conservation. Their class teacher described the process they used in an electrical circuit. Later on, we were taken to another side of the class that had mostly material for practical projects. The students themselves created some really nice things, including a fully functional engine-powered bicycle.

Finally, our educational adventure came to an end. We all thanked the staff for having us and spreading good intentions through youngsters like us. They thanked us back by giving everyone gifts consisting of a pen, a notebook, a ruler, and a leaflet advertising a summer program for young, aspiring engineers like us. Everyone, including me, was very pleased and fascinated by what we had learned.

Fairy Menghani, Year 8

On the 21st of October, my class, Year 8, went on a field trip to ESMER. We were accompanied by Mrs. Mbaka and Mr. David.

When we reached, we were ushered into their conference room. Our guide then told us the full form of ESMER “Ecole Superieure des Metiers des Energies Renouvables”. The school has been in existence since 2015.The vision of ESMER is to produce electricity without pollution and by using renewable resources such as solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy and hydropower. They gave us all helmets to wear. We then visited the class in the university. Our guide then explained to us that they didn’t use electricity from SBEE. SBEE is the electricity distribution company in Benin; instead they make their own electricity and use it. We then went to the terrace which was filled with solar panels. He explained us that the solar panels could trap the light from the sun and convert it into electricity. A question was asked, ‘What if there is no sunlight because it’s a rainy day?” The guide then told us that even when it rains, there is still a bit of sunlight that can produce energy. He then showed us conductor wires, connecting to a room filled with batteries of a really high voltage which stored the energy and converted it to electricity used in the classrooms. Afterwards, we went into the laboratory where everyone performs different experiments such as how solar panels and windmills work. They said that the power of the electricity depends on the voltage of the batteries. The higher the voltage, the higher the light/power. We saw electric generators made by students as their projects.

Lastly, the director told us to remember that solar panels need sunlight and not the heat from the Sun, so even if it’s raining and there is a bit of sunlight, solar panels can produce electricity. She gave us gifts, and told us about the summer camp which is for ages 5-16, and runs for two weeks in July.

The trip was fun as well as educative. My classmates and I really enjoyed the trip. We will now try to avoid polluting the air but use renewable sources of energy as much as possible.