PORTABLE POWER SOLOMON OLSHIN AND LAYTON ROSENFELD ARE KEEPING RESIDENTS OF NORTH PORTLAND’S HAZELNUT GROVE COMMUNITY CONNECTED WITH AN AWARD-WINNING SOLAR INVENTION. by Kevin Gaboury photos by Adam Wickham
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wo young MAC members are harnessing the power of the sun to make a difference in their community. Layton Rosenfeld and Solomon Olshin, both sophomores at Catlin Gabel School, helped develop the JuiceBox, a solar-powered, sustainable energy source that provides light and power for people experiencing homelessness. Currently, 20 of the devices are installed in shelter pods at Hazelnut Grove – a houseless community located in North Portland. Residents use them to charge their devices, power laptop computers and read at night. “The JuiceBox is the identification of a need in these houseless communities for electricity and light after dark,” Olshin said. Olshin and Rosenfeld are members of Catlin Gabel’s 12-person InvenTeam, where students combine their love of science and engineering with a desire to help those who are less fortunate. The team also created the Water Trotter, which helps transport water in developing counties, and a carpooling app for high school students. Last year, JuiceBox was one of 16 high school
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projects across the country to win a $10,000 prize in the Lexus Eco Challenge. The prize money funded the first 20 JuiceBox units. “For me, I think JuiceBox has been the most successful, as we’ve been able to see an impact on the community,” Rosenfeld said. Hazelnut Grove residents appreciate having something in their pod that is solar-powered and doesn’t require maintenance, Olshin said. The solar panel, placed on the roof, charges a 12-volt battery. This supplies enough power to illuminate two LED lights for 25 hours, or power a laptop or charge a phone with the attached inverter. The solar panel continuously recharges the battery, meaning they rarely run out of power. While working on the project, the students learned many Hazelnut Grove residents have jobs and other roles where they need to stay connected to their community.