Resources for Educators

• Renewable Energy Education Resources
• Global warming
• Energy Conservation and Audits
• Solar Project Funding Sources
• Classroom Solar Energy Kits and Products
• Solar Cooking
• RE Science Fairs and Competitions
• Online Environmental Quizzes
• Inspiring Youth Success Stories and Initiatives
• Organizations
  
  

Renewable Energy Education Resources

Global warming

www.climatecrisis.net – An Inconvenient Truth homepage.  Lots of good tips.
http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/f101.asp - The National Resource Defense Council FAQ’s on Global Warming and what we can do about it.
http://stopglobalwarming.org/ - Join the 810,788 supporters of the Stop Global Warming Virtual March, and become part of the movement to demand our leaders reduce carbon dioxide emissions now.
http://climatechallenge.org/ - The Campus Climate Challenge is a project of more than 30 leading youth organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Challenge leverages the power of young people to organize on college campuses and high schools across Canada and the U.S. to win 100% Clean Energy policies at their schools. The Challenge is growing a generation-wide movement to stop global warming, by reducing the pollution from our high schools and colleges down to zero, and leading our society to a clean energy future.
http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=1219&pc=Search – 12 half hour lectures on our changing climate.
http://www.nationalteachin.org/diyteachin.php  - National Teach In on Global warming.This site has tons of links to global warming sites as well as podcast downloads and videos, and suggested reading.
http://nationalteachin.org/resources.php - Additional links from the National Teach In on Global Warming.

Energy Conservation and Audits

Solar Project Funding Sources

www.dsireusa.org - this site gives state by state financial incentives for homeowners and businesses which implement renewable energy.
www.need.org - The mission of the National Energy Education Development Project is to promote an energy conscious and educated society by creating effective networks of students, educators, business, government and community leaders to design and deliver objective, multi-sided energy education programs.
http://www.aplusforenergy.org/ - BP Solar’s A+ for Energy grants for Teachers (due in spring).
http://catalog.pitsco.com/about/item.aspx?ap=2&art=314 - lots of federal education grant links!!
http://www.dsireusa.org/ - Database for State Incentives for Renewable Energy
http://www.socialstudies.org/awards/grants/mcauliffe/ -$1500 grants for social studies teachers:  “The purpose of the $1,500 grant is to help a social studies educator make his or her dream of innovative social studies a reality. Grants will be given to assist classroom teachers in: 1) developing and implementing imaginative, innovative, and illustrative social studies teaching strategies; and 2) supporting student implementation of innovative social studies, citizenship projects, field experiences, and community connections.”
http://www.idealist.org/kt/activism.html#SEC7 – national funding resources for youth initiatives (plus a bunch of other resources for youth who want to create positive change in their communities).

Classroom Solar Energy Kits and Products

www.solarworld.com/Educational.htm - this site offers solar energy kits for sale.
http://www.solarschoolhouse.org/ssh.html - Out of California, this organization offers curriculum and solar kits for sale while offering accredited teacher training workshops in Renewable Energy for California teachers. 
www.kidwind.org - Kidwind is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving science education while introducing curriculum for wind power.  In addition to providing student geared wind power kits, Kidwind is a great resource for teachers wanting to take accredited workshops on teaching about wind power.
www.windstreampower.com - a source for human powered generators (expensive but cool!!)
http://www.scienceshareware.com/ - this site tells you how to build a human powered bicycle generator for your classroom
http://www.nmsea.org/SunChaser2/Solar_Kits.htm - NMSEA offers a comprehensive hands-on solar energy kit for sale. 
http://www.fuelcellstore.com – Hydrogen fuel cell kits
www.realgoods.com - this site offers green products for sale.  Real Goods is a leader in California on sustainability and renewable energy education by hosting conferences and fairs at their eco campus.
http://www.backwoodssolar.com/ - Established online and catalogue distributer for renewable energy equipment.  A great source for solar fountain materials.
www.pitsco.com - a source for scientific materials for teachers
www.stevespanglerscience.com  - Making Science Fun!  A source for scientific materials and science project ideas.
www.scientificsonline.com -Edmund scientific supply, kits and goodies. Lots of sales and cheap shipping
http://www.xof1.com/educationminibody.html - solar cars made from materials you can find at home (you just need to buy the small 1.5 volt panel and motor).

Solar Cooking

www.solarcooking.org - everything you would ever want to know about solar cooking and making your own solar ovens!!!
http://solarcooking.org/plans/ - direct link to the above sites page of solar cooker plans
www.she-inc.org - Solar Household Energy, Inc. – expansive website on solar cooking on a global level
http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Solar_Cooking:Frequently-asked_questions – frequently asked solar cooking questions and answers

RE Science Fairs and Competitions

www.ignitingcreativeenergy.org - Open to students K-12, the Igniting Creative Energy Challenge is an educational competition designed to encourage students to learn more about energy and the environment. 
http://www.winstonsolar.org/challenge/ -The Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge was established ten years ago to help motivate students in science and engineering. The Challenge, a part of The Winston School in Dallas, teaches high school students around the world how to build roadworthy solar cars. We then provide a safe environment for them to display their solar cars. On even-numbered years, we share the fun of the world-famous Texas Motor Speedway; on odd-numbered years, the teams drive cross-country to share their projects with millions of people.
http://www.iyfcc.com/ - International Youth Fuel Cell Competitition
http://www.nrel.gov/education/jss_hfc.html - NREL’s Junior Solar Sprint/Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car Competition - an annual competition for Middle School Teams from all over Colorado.  Find out how to host one in your area.
http://www.solardecathlon.org/ - The Solar Decathalon – Every other year the National Mall in Washington DC hosts this event.  A great field trip and inspiration for youth.
http://www.nrel.gov/education/science_bowl.html - NREL’s Middle School Science Bowl
http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/nsb/default.htm - this is the site for the National Science Bowl
http://istf.ucf.edu - The Internet Science and Technology Fair (ISTF) was created to afford pre-college students in grades three (3) through twelve (12) an opportunity to experience the excitement of researching solutions to real-world problems involving science, engineering and other technical fields of study. Students primarily use information and communication technology tools to conduct their on-line investigations. They work as a team, communicate with professionals, apply science inquiry and present their research findings in a professional manner. These experiences help students build individual and collaborative study and work skills. The scientists, engineers, doctors, researchers, and technicians of tomorrow reside in the classrooms of today. The ISTF provides teachers with a means to integrate on-line science, technology, and engineering into their curricula and help their students realize the possibilities of technical career futures.

Schools Going Green

http://www.irecusa.org/index.php?id=36 – Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s newsletter on schools going solar.
http://www.buildgreenschools.org/ - the US Green Building Council’s “How to Build Green Schools” and tons of other green building resources

Online Environmental Quizzes

www.myfootprint.org - fill out this eye-opening questionnaire to reveal your personal ecological footprint on our planet.
http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/calculator/ - carbon footprint calculator from Nature Conservancy

Inspiring Youth Success Stories and Initiatives

http://www.energyaction.net -Youth united for a clean energy future.  Find out about the youth efforts of the United States.
http://www.freewebs.com/youandsolarenergy/aboutthissite.htm - “My name is Shawn and I go to Skyview Jr. High.  At my school there is a project called Breakout. Students choose a topic, research it, write a research paper, and then undertake a project called "Make a Difference" and then present it. For my "making a difference," I have decided to teach the public about solar energy through this website to show and teach people how solar energy can be used and how it can help the world. Thank you for visiting this site and helping me make a difference.”
http://www.broweryouthawards.org/userdata_display.php?modin=50&sortby – Brower Youth Awards – Honoring Youth Leadership in Conservation, Restoration, and Preservation.
http://www.seac.org/about - Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) – in recent years, the members of seac have realized the importance of addressing energy.  This organization includes middle school through college age students.
http://www.idealist.org/kt/youthorgs.html#sec8 – this is the direct link to idealist.org’s list of environmental organizations started by youth. 
http://www.idealist.org/kt/activism.html#SEC7 - find more resources to help you get started in your own community
www.youthnoise.com – Be Heard!  Find out what other kids are doing around the world
www.journeytoforever.org - Journey to Forever is a pioneering expedition by a small, mobile NGO (Non-Government Organization) involved in environmental and rural development work. Check Them Out!!!

Other organizations that offer youth education
and/or teacher trainings in Renewable Energy

Solar Schoolhouse – California – www.solarschoolhouse.org
Florida Solar Energy Center – Florida - www.fsec.ucf.edu
The National Energy Education Development Project - Nationwide – www.need.org
North Carolina Solar Center – North Carolina - www.ncsc.ncsu.edu/
New Mexico Solar Energy Association – New Mexico - www.nmsea.org/
Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Project (KEEP) – Wisconsin – www.uwsp.edu/cnr/wcee/keep
Kidwind – Nationwide trainings - www.kidwind.org

Solar In the Schools is one of SEI’s Charitable Programs and would not be possible without the support of our members, financial donors, and partnering organizations.  Thanks to the many people out there who believe in youth education – we couldn’t have done all of this without you!

Knowledge is Power

 
SIS CONTACT INFO: 

Noah Davis – Solar In the Schools Program Coordinator
(970) 963-8855 ext 114