The Vermont Energy Education Program (VEEP) is offering two institutes this summer to help teachers understand the science, as well as the costs and benefits, of producing electricity using renewable energy. The goal is to give teachers the knowledge and hands-on experience they need to explore topics related to solar power and wind power with their students and have a greater understanding of current energy issues. The two 4-day institutes cost $300 each. A limited number of scholarships are available through VEEP.
PVs Clean and Green is offered August 2 – 5 at the Learning Collaborative in Dummerston, VT.
The focus will be on understanding how photovoltaic panels convert solar energy into electricity and how to use the VEEP PVs Activity Kit to facilitate guided explorations by students. Teachers will also gain experience using the online Renewable Energy Atlas (www.vtenergyatlas.com) and tour the new LEED Platinum-certified photovoltaic-powered Field House at The Putney School. Speakers David Bilttersdorf of All Earth Renewables and Richard Dostis of Green Mountain Power will discuss current energy issues and developments in technology and legislation relating to renewable energy installations in Vermont. This institute is funded in part by a grant from the Blittersdorf Foundation.
Wind Works is offered August 15 – 18 at Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington, VT.
The focus will be on understanding how wind turbines convert wind energy into electricity and how to use the VEEP Wind Works Activity Kit to facilitate guided explorations by students. Teachers will also gain experience using the online Renewable Energy Atlas (www.vtenergyatlas.com) and tour NRG Systems in Hinesburg, a LEED Gold-certified facility that uses wood pellets and photovoltaics for 95% of its energy needs. Speakers David Bilttersdorf of All Earth Renewables and Dorothy Schnure of Green Mountain Power will discuss current energy issues and developments in technology and legislation relating to renewable energy installations in Vermont. This institute is funded in part by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Why is VEEP offering these institutes? According to Wendy McArdle, Managing Director of VEEP, “We see teacher training as the most efficient way of helping Vermont’s students become energy literate. VEEP will continue to do our popular 90-minute in-class energy presentations, but we can also train teachers who can then weave this topic into their curriculum throughout the year and, ideally, share their knowledge with colleagues. Topics relating to energy are in the news everyday: Vermont Yankee, the Lowell Wind Project, Smart Grid technology, Vermont’s new energy policy, and, of course, the price of gas! Teachers need to understand more about these topics and about how renewables energy options can play a role in our energy future. Our Summer Institutes are a great opportunity for teachers to explore one topic in depth while getting a general overview of many of the issues facing our state, our nation, and our world.”
Both institutes, designed for teachers of students in grades 4 – 12, may be taken for professional development credit ($300) or college credit ($600). Limited scholarships are available. Registration and more information are available online at www.veep.org/2011-summer-institutes.html.
About Vermont Energy Education Program: For more than 20 years, VEEP has been promoting energy literacy in schools and communities throughout Vermont. VEEP offers in-class presentations, teacher training programs, energy curricula, and assistance with school energy efficiency projects. Most of VEEP’s services are available at no charge. In 2010, VEEP reached 3,500+ students in 62 schools in all 14 counties in Vermont. VEEP is an independent program of the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. For more information, visit www.veep.org.
Leave a Reply