Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

This content was published: January 5, 2005. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.

Learn to 'build green' with PCC non-credit classes

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PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon is hailed across the country for its progressive vision and commitment concerning the environment. But practicing sustainability techniques is not just good for the earth it’s also good for you. Now you can learn how to incorporate these earth-friendly benefits into your own home with two new non-credit classes offered by Portland Community College.Learn how to design "green" when it comes to retrofitting your home with Ecological Architecture. Instructor Candace Gossen will explain how to use solar and rainwater collection for energy and how to recycle wastewater. Students will discover a variety of ecological alternatives to building materials like earth, strawbale and papercrete. The seven-week class will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 11 through Feb. 22, at the Launchbox, 124 S.W. Yamhill Suite, 200. Cost is $29 plus a $75 fee payable to the instructorSolar Today will show students how to use a solar chart, calculate heat gain and loss, and thermal mass and insulation alternatives including strawbale ideas. Gossen will discuss sustainable retrofitting with solar water heating, photovoltaics, green houses and passive solar. The six-week class will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 12 through Feb. 16, at the Launchbox. Cost is $25 plus a $75 fee payable to the instructor.For more information, Contact PCC Community Education at 503-978-5143.

About James Hill

James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »