Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage Offers Environmental Engineering Internships

As evidence for global warming continues to mount, the discovery of sustainable, renewable energy sources and technologies has never been direr.

This summer, the Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage in Rutledge, Missouri is offering 2 three-month research internships. The internships, particularly suitable for students pursuing an engineering degree, will provide the opportunity to learn about sustainable community building and the future of the community's development of renewable energy for its own use.

Technologies for making use of thermal energy for space heating and cooling, heated greenhouses, domestic hot water, cooking, and refrigeration supply the focal point of the research.

Tony Sirna, co-founder of Dancing Rabbit and manager of the BEDR Power Co-op and Wind Turbine Project, will oversee the interns.  A long-time cornerstone of the community, Sirna has been involved at the fundamental level in all aspects of life and work at Dancing Rabbit, including the building of Skyhosue - the 6-bedroom strawbale home the interns will reside in. 

In addition to the 30 hours per week scheduled for the research project, interns will gain valuable experience in natural building with strawbale and cob, organic gardening, permaculture, solar electric installation, and ecovillage design and planning.  Interns will participate in all aspects of communal living, including helping with chores and joining in community activities like Ultimate Frisbee.

The compensation for interns includes all basic expenses while at Dancing Rabbit. Interns will receive room and board, and learning, in exchange for their research and contributions to the community.  Travel to and from the community will be at each intern's expense - as will miscellaneous minor expenses such as movies, snacks or special foods, and alcohol.

Interns will produce a paper to be published on the Dancing Rabbit website (and possibly elsewhere) by the end of the research project.   This paper should outline the feasibility, costs, and benefits of various options for renewable energy for the community, with implementation, in whole or in part, of some of the best ideas beginning in 2012.

Diversity is important to the village, and the Dancing Rabbit community is actively seeking candidates traditionally underrepresented in the field of engineering.  Anyone who is interested should request an application by filling out the web form in the Dancing Rabbit site.

About The Author:

Melonie enjoys blogging about green living, sustainable energy, and global issues.  She currently writes for Allied Satellite TV.

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