The Project Energy Summer Institute 2000 was held in Tuscaloosa on June 1 and 2 and proved to be interesting and challenging in furthering energy awareness in Alabama schools.

Thirty-four of our state’s top energy teachers from 14 school systems attended the summer Institute. Their participation allowed for ideas to be shared among participants while at the same time continuing to deepen the network of expert and material resource support from which to draw on for assistance during the school year.

1. Highlights of Energy Research Presentations

The summer institute included presentations by scientists and engineers on the future of energy research and resources, new energy curricula that was tried out in hands on sessions and technology ideas for enhancing student learning.

Eric Carlson, Department of Chemical

Engineering at the University of Alabama, is involved in the reservoir characterization energy research cluster in the Alabama DOE/EPSCoR Project. His topic was titled Embedded Domain Reservoir Simulation. The research area discussed and illustrated was on finding methane in liquefied form in natural earth environments. He offered an historical view as well as ideas in finding future sources for methane and how to identify and quantify properties of methane hydrates as an energy source and locations of geographically-detected hydrate sites.

Ian Peterson, Chemistry Department at the University of Alabama, performs research on the organic semiconductor research cluster team in the Alabama DOE/EPSCoR Project. His topic title was Molecular Electronics. He described research on properties of novel organic semi-conducting materials. He presented the process of design, synthesis, fabrication and characterization for organic semi-conducting materials.

Gary Swanson, Department of Physics at Auburn University, is project director in the fusion energy research cluster in the Alabama DOE/EPSCoR Project. After providing a historical overview the state of fusion energy research. He described efforts in the investigation of magnetic containment fields using the Compact Auburn Torsatorn.

2. Highlights of Energy Education Presentations on Curricula and Pedagogy

The summer institute included several new examples of energy curricula, instructional equipment and resources as well as energy lesson demonstrations to be utilized in the classroom. The following is an overview.

1. Five leadership teacher sponsored staff development workshops are scheduled in Alabama schools. They are Jane Jones, Williams Technology Middle School; Mylina Stanfield, Boaz Middle School; Suzanne Salters, Boaz Middle School and Charlene McCoy, Glencoe Middle School.
2. A general session on exemplary energy lessons will be presented by project energy leadership teachers at the Alabama Science Teachers Association annual conference in Hoover, Alabama, on October 20, 2000. If you have not done so, send in the Quick Response form enclosed if planning to present and attend the conference.
3. Data gathering from project teachers and classrooms will continue to monitor the status of energy education in Alabama schools.

1. Battery Lesson Plan & Materials

The Rechargeable battery recycling Corporation Lesson Plan. They invite you as teachers to help with a battery recycling effort. RBRC' s Battery Lesson Plan is an engaging and educational way to teach children the importance of recycling Ni-Cd recharge batteries.

The lesson plan is recommended for grades 3-5, and uses batteries as the basis for developing students' science, history and math skills. It offers a series of interactive experiments and

thought-provoking exercises. The program teaches students about the merits of battery power; safety tips in using batteries and how to recycle batteries properly to keep our environment clean and livable.

The lesson plan is provided to all educators at no charge. You can download the lesson plan form at the RBRC web site or order additional educational support materials. To order this kit or learn more, visit RBRC's website at www.rbrc.org or call (352)376-5135.

2. Fusion Science/Recent Fusion Research and Education Information

The Contemporary Physics Education Project is a non-profit organization of teachers, educators and physicists. CPEP materials present the current understanding of the nature of matter and energy, incorporating the major research findings of the past three decades. CPEP also sponsors many workshops for teachers. For information visit http://wwwofe.er.doe.gov.

For more information check our web site.

http://www.bamaed.ua.edu/sciteach/energy

October 20, 2000

The fall Alabama Science Teachers Association (ASTA)/ Fall Project Energy Workshop is set for October 20, 2000. The title of the session is Energy Education Fair for Elementary, Middle and High School Teachers. Plan to present your classroom energy activity with us. Several Project Energy teachers are attending and we have room for more to present and demonstrate energy activities/learning cycle lesson plans.

Professional expense support is available from Project Energy. This includes substitute teacher salary, travel expense to ASTA, and registration. Expense vouchers need to be filled out following the conference. To register with us complete this Quick response form and fax or mail today.

1. I will make a presentation at the October 20 ASTA Conference/Project Energy Fall Workshop:

Name___________________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________

Home Phone # ____________ E-mail _____________ School Phone # ______________

School Name and address__________________________________________________

2. Title of Your Energy Lesson Presentation ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

___________________________________ Grade Level of Lesson_________________

3.Transportation: To save Project Energy funds you are encouraged to share a ride with others. I am driving. Yes___ No ___ I am riding with another teacher (name) _________

Please return this form no later than Friday October 16^th, 2000 to: