Renewable Energy: STEM Training

This is a hands-on STEM focused day for grades 3-12 educators (preservice and inservice) that is designed to engage youth in renewable energy experiences as they learn about wind and solar energy. Working in teams, you will design and build small-scale wind turbines, work with solar cells, and build solar-powered structures that demonstrate power output. You will learn how to organize student-driven, maker-oriented, collaborative and fun activities for the classroom or an after-school STEM club. 

Participants will also learn about KidWind, a program of the 501c3 non-profit organization Gale Force Education that works with educators to integrate clean energy into classrooms. KidWind’s mission is to empower educators and students to explore and engage with the challenges and opportunities of a clean-powered future.  

KidWind teams design and construct small-scale wind turbines or solar homes that they test to determine energy production. During in-person challenges, teams meet with a panel of judges to present their design process and provide documentation. They also demonstrate their conceptual knowledge on clean energy and engage in a variety of quizzes or Instant Challenges to demonstrate their teamwork, critical-thinking and problem- solving skills.

A six-hour professional development certificate will be given to those who complete a full-day of activities. Register by October 10. Questions? Please feel free to contact VSTE member, Dr. Diane Painter at dpainter@su.edu.