Educational reform is now underway in the State of Alabama. PROJECT ENERGY will take a role in this reform by helping to support science literacy through inservice teacher staff development. The goal of PROJECT ENERGY is to enhance energy education knowledge and skills of teachers throughout Alabama.

    The project will focus on the science/energy education standards adopted by the new Alabama Science Course of Study and National Standards in Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies. Energy research and development projects in Alabama will be utilized to enhance participants' knowledge of energy concepts. Techniques of effective teaching, curricular integration, and multidisciplinary teaching will be stressed. The selected participants will gain skills, knowledge, and experience leading to the creation of exemplary classroom models incorporating energy education.

    Through increased emphasis on energy literacy, PROJECT ENERGY will provide workshops and energy awareness experiences that will enhance the classroom expertise and leadership of the participating teachers. Participants will work cooperatively in local teams.

    Four energy education workshops will be held during the academic year and summer of 1995 and 1996. PROJECT ENERGY teachers will use their workshop experiences to develop energy education inservice workshops for teachers in their districts in 1996.

    Openings are available for thirty-six teachers who are: 1) teaching science in schools, 2) self-motivated with a track record of creating change in schools, 3) committed to providing staff development for teachers in their areas, and 4) interested in creating exemplary science classrooms that demonstrate state-of-the-art teaching methods. Participants will receive a stipend for travel and living expenses, as well as samples of teaching materials for investigating, planning, and implementing exemplary energy education in their classrooms.

    The workshops will focus on energy literacy and instructional strategies, for both elementary and secondary teachers, that provide specific in-depth science information and hands-on experiences in each of Alabama's energy research initiatives.

    During the academic year, weekend workshops will be held at energy research sites in Alabama. The workshops will involve direct instruction, computer modeling activities, field trips, science teaching seminars, and teacher-designed projects.

    Scientists, supported by science education experts, will help increase PROJECT ENERGY teachers' basic energy knowledge, skills, familiarization with energy research efforts in Alabama, and ideas and strategies for classroom activities. Focus energy topics at these workshops will involve simulation of underground petroleum reservoirs to enhance recovery; energy transport studies and processes infusion reactions; and research on conducting, semi-conducting and superconducting materials.

    Participants will use the in-depth information in planning future classroom lessons related to each of the Alabama energy research initiatives and the Alabama Course of Study. The participants will learn how to use energy related technology, software and how to access Internet.

    The site for the summer workshop will be Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. This week-long workshop will introduce participants to innovative teaching modules that integrate science, mathematics, technology and energy education. On-site visits that relate energy projects to real life experiences will also be a part of the agenda. PROJECT ENERGY participants will learn how to access the Oak Ridge educational computer network which offers a number of energy-related databases as well as access to other National Energy Laboratory networks.

Spring, 1995
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL.
April 7, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
April 8, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Summer II, 1995
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, TN
July 23-28, 1995

Fall, 1995
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
November, 1995

Spring, 1996
Auburn University
Auburn, AL.
February, 1995

    Communication during the 1995 and 1996 school years will involve forming a network of participants in the local areas, a newsletter, and electronic mail for schools which have the equipment. Participants will share ideas, materials, and demonstrate activities to other local teachers in inservice settings during the spring of 1996. Additional curriculum materials will be provided for these newly inserviced teachers.

    The participants will acquire knowledge, skills, and materials that are centered on hands-on and minds-on classroom learning and that enhances their students':

* understanding and concern with local, national and global issues related to energy
   resources

* higher order thinking skills in the area of problem solving and creative thinking

* investigate skills in carrying out science research

* awareness of the diversity of career options in energy education.

For additional information contact:
Dennis Sunal
Teacher Education
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL. 35487
Phone: (205) 348-7010
Fax: (205) 348-9863
E-Mail: dsunal@bamaed.ua.edu

or

Carol Pugh
Teacher Education
West End High School
1840 Pearson Avenue SW
Birmingham, AL. 35211
Phone: (205) 929-8189

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