2004 Summer Content Institutes

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for Buildings

Participants interacted with leading experts, participated in field trips, engaged in hands-on activities, and studied readings geared toward developing motivating science and technology activities for students. Several renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies were examined, including passive solar houses and schools, illuminating the scientific concepts that underlie them.  Engineering design and construction were examined as applications. Physics, Technology-engineering, Chemistry and Earth and Space science were studied through photovoltaic cells.  An examination of solar thermal systems and wind power added thermal systems, conservations of energy, heat and heat transfer, motion and forces to the syllabus. Participants examined a solar powered cotton-candy machine and received a package of mini-solar cells, selected books, and the Power House experiment kit. This institute was designed for High School.

Hampshire Educational Collaborative/NESEA
Northampton, MA

Renewable Energy: Science, Technology, & Issues

Renewable energy (RE) is one of the fastest growing technology sectors in the world and it's also one of the hottest topics to teach about. The scenic Waquoit Bay Research Reserve was the setting for teachers learning the facts about RE technologies and how to teach many science and technology standards through hands-on projects. In this institute teachers built working models of RE systems, visited facilities that are using different forms of RE for their own power, talked with RE professionals, learned effective classroom activities from experts in the field of RE education, and received resources and supplies. This institute was designed for High School.

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
East Falmouth, MA

Engineering Energy

Engineering Energy engaged teachers in grades 5-8 in the science and engineering of Renewable Energy (RE) technologies, particularly wind energy and alternative transportation systems.  Teachers learned to integrate engineering design principles in their science instruction through hands-on investigations focused on generating renewable energy.  Experts within the fields of Engineering, Wind Power and Sustainable Transportation worked side-by-side with exemplary educators to help teachers develop content knowledge about energy, alternative fuel sources, materials and tools, and engineering design, and apply their knowledge to the design and construction of efficient wind turbine generators and transportation prototypes.  Additionally, the participants visited sites that are using wind energy, and will attend the Alt Wheels Festival in September to learn about current initiatives in renewable energy applications in transportation. This institute was designed for Middle School.

Waltham Public Schools
Waltham, MA

Energy and the Environment

This institute explored the impact of energy choices and the benefits of renewable energy from a scientific viewpoint, including societal and environmental topics.  State-of-the-art technology and house-hold items were utilized to create demonstrations and hands-on activities that promote learning from basic energy principles to designing renewable energy lesson plans for grades 6-9.  Participants took pre/post tests, completed experiments, toured the MTC-supported Brockton Brightfield Project, and developed lesson plans tailored for their classrooms.  The institute ran eight days in August with six evening follow-up sessions planned for October and November. This institute was designed for Middle School.

Bridgewater State College
Bridgewater, MA

Renewable Energy 2004 Content Institute Program

This institute for high school teachers provided an update on current energy use, problems involving resource depletion, and environmental issues associated with current practices.  Alternatives to fossil fuels were studied with the emphasis on renewable sources.  Participants had hands on experience with solar and wind systems that are both technically and economically appropriate.  Stressing the interaction between science, society, and technology the Institute emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of energy studies.  This institute was designed for High School .

June 4/5, 11/12, 18/19 and 23-25
Fitchburg State College
Fitchburg, MA

Renewable Energy: Science, Technology, & Issues

Renewable energy (RE) is one of the fastest growing technology sectors in the world and it’s also one of the hottest topics to teach about. Teachers went to the scenic Waquoit Bay Research Reserve to learn the facts about RE technologies and how to teach many science and technology standards through hands-on projects. In this institute they built working models of RE systems, visited facilities that are using different forms of RE for their own power, talked with RE professionals, learned effective classroom activities from experts in the field of RE education, and walked away with $500 worth of resources and supplies. This institute was designed for High School.

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
East Falmouth , MA
Teachers attending the Content Institute at Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, East Falmouth, MA, are busy building their own wind turbines.

After building, the wind turbines need to be tested for the amount of voltage they generate. Testing occurs inside and outside.

The teachers proudly present their carefully crafted wind turbines; some of which may be used as demonstrations in their classrooms in the coming year.

Teachers attending the Energy and Environment Content Institute at Bridgewater State College learn about electric circuits.

A miniature version of an airplane wing is used to study “lift” in the wind tunnel.

In this lab, teachers learn about the seasons and temperature changes on the earth using globes, lamps, temperature probes, and computer software that graphs the data.

The teachers who attended the "Engineering Energy" Content Institute offered through Waltham Public Schools had a close-up view of the solar panels installed on the roof of the Dexter School in Brookline.

The teachers also had the opportunity to take a field trip to the wind turbine in Hull, Massachusetts. This 660 kW turbine, standing 150 feet tall, supplies electricity for Hull’s street lights and traffic lights.

Teachers participating in the Content Institute Program at Fitchburg State College went on a tour of the Fitchburg Power Station in Westminster. In this photo, they are walking up the steps next to the covered conveyer belt where wood chips, that fuel the power station, are brought into the facility.

Excited to be learning about wind energy, the teachers gather for a photo in front of a wind turbine at the wind farm maintained by the Princeton Municipal Light Department.

Solar ovens, constructed by the teachers, use heat energy from the sun to cook a variety of foods such as hot dogs, meatballs, soup, and smores.