Argonne’s mission is to lead the world in providing scientific and engineering solutions to the grand challenges of our time: sustainable energy, a healthy environment and a secure nation. In concert with the laboratory’s sustainable energy mission, the Sustainability Workshop for Middle School Teachers will have seminars by scientists, discussions, tours, hands-on activities, and group planning to grow the participant’s energy literacy and develop instructional materials for sustainability topics.
By the last day each teacher will have prepared a teaching unit (outline, lessons, artifacts) that they plan to use during the upcoming school year.
Topical areas include:
The generation, distribution, storage, and utilization of current energy technologies.
Understanding some of the road blocks, complexities, and indirect problems that alternative energy technologies face.
Conserving energy resources in order to stabilize and/or reduce the effects of additional global warming or climate change.
Conserving and adjusting material resources – water, soil, minerals, and clean air.
Designing and planning our living space, land use, and transportation systems in an efficient, logical and esthetic manner.
Each workshop is limited to 20 teachers at grades 6-9. To qualify for this program you must hold a valid state teaching certificate for science teaching that falls in the range of grades 6-9 and be teaching school for the 2012-13 academic year with a load of at least 50% science or math classes.
The workshop is FREE.
1.0 Illinois teacher certification credit (CEU) is available.
1.0 semester credit hour is available through Aurora University for a fee.
What Teachers Gain:
Content knowledge and interaction with experts => new understanding and confidence!
Numerous learning/teaching resources and activities
Workshop-generated lessons and curriculum
A network of interested teachers and staff for ongoing growth in sustainability
Tentative Agenda:
Day 1
Welcome, introductions, and workshop overview
Overview of Sustainability
What is Climate Change/Climate Disruption
Energy bike and light emission & generator efficiency; power & costs (two groups)
Lunch
Proceed to the Instruction Labs – lower level
Split into two hands-on activity groups
Day 2
Overview of Energy Generation: Nuclear, Coal, Methane, Hydroelectric, Solar, Wind, Bio-fuels
Tour of transportation and solar charging station
Lunch
Solar Energy Seminar
Split into two activity groups
Day 3
Topic Discussions
Curriculum applications
Subdivide into groups of interested topics and activities- plan rough draft of ideas
Split into two activity groups
Exploration of activities and/or resources
Day 4
Exploration of activities and resources
Outline. Writing lessons/artifacts
Work with curriculum mentor
Plenary share to this point
Day 5
Please submit deliverables before you leave today
Present lessons and units - allow for discussion and feedback
Lunch
Finish presentations
Teaching/networking follow-up; Closing remarks
Evaluation; Course credit and/or CPDUs
To qualify for this program you must hold a valid state teaching certificate for science teaching that falls in the range of grades 6-9 and be teaching school for the 2012-13 academic year with a load of at least 50% science or math classes. There is no stipend for participating in this workshop.
For More Information, Contact: Lou Harnisch 630-252-6925, lharnisch@anl.gov
