National Energy Conference for Educators 2012

Summer Training 2011

Hyatt Regency Crystal City

Arlington, VA

July 15-19, 2012

The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project is a nonprofit education association with over 30 years experience in energy education and curriculum development. NEED’s materials and programs are an integral part of the energy education process in 65,000 classrooms nationwide.

NEED works with the education community and the energy industry to design and distribute comprehensive, objective, inquiry-based educational materials. NEED conducts student and teacher training programs, provides evaluation tools, and recognizes outstanding student and teacher achievement for grades K-12.

NEED materials are designed to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of students. They are teacher-tested to ensure success in the classroom and are correlated to the National Science Education Content Standards and to state standards.

The mission of the NEED Project is to promote an energy conscious and educated society by creating networks of students, educators, businesses, government, and community leaders to design and deliver objective, multi-sided energy education programs.

About the Conference

The 2012 Energy Conference for Educators brings together educators that are passionate about bringing energy education to their classrooms. In five interactive days in Arlington, Virginia, the conference provides teachers with the most up-to-date information on all aspects of energy.

Participants receive the training and materials to implement innovative hands-on energy units for their classrooms, multi-disciplinary teams, and after-school programs. They also receive the materials, training, and support to conduct in-services in their areas to introduce the NEED program to others.

Conference Details

Cost of the conference is $1,100 and includes double occupancy lodging, most meals, hotel parking, local transportation to and from the airport in the conference city, and curriculum materials. The conference is not for the faint of heart, but has been noted as the most fun a teacher could have while learning. Attendees receive complimentary loan of the NEED Science of Energy Kit, a class-set of NEED Energy Infobooks (at grade level), and access to all NEED Curriculum Guides, and supplemental resources. This conference is often attended by energy industry education and outreach staff as well. NEED seeks sponsors to support teacher participation.

The goals of the conference include expanding educator knowledge of the following subjects related to energy:

The science of energy, forms of energy, and energy transformations
Renewable and nonrenewable energy resources, their development, use, and impact on economics and environment
Generation and transmission of electricity
Development and use of transportation fuels and the connection of all fuels to the economy and the environment
Efficient use of energy and the use of energy technologies for conservation and reduction of waste

The conference prepares educators to integrate energy curriculum materials into the classroom at any grade level and with any group of students. It will also focus on the successful achievement of state and national education goals using correlations of NEED materials to the National Science Education Standards and state standards.

Arlington, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Arlington, Virginia provides a great starting point from which to explore your surroundings and Washington, D.C. With national monuments such as the Arlington Cemetery, the Pentagon Memorial, and the Air Force Memorial, Arlington has many sites to visit. In the evenings, check out the “Urban Villages” centered at Arlington’s many metro stations for dinner, movies, and live entertainment. Or, take a quick metro ride into Washington, D.C. to explore the memorials and museums for which the Capital city is known. The conference schedule is packed. If you want to explore D.C., plan on extending your stay before or after the conference.

Hyatt Regency Crystal City

2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22203

NEED makes all arrangements for lodging. Also, the host hotel for NEED’s Youth Awards for Energy Achievement, the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, is comfortable, convenient, and has a fantastic staff. Within minutes, you can explore the nation’s (free!) monuments and museums, take in a show at the Kennedy Center, enjoy a Washington National’s baseball game, or tour the Capitol! Prefer to stay local? Arlington has plenty of attractions, including luxury shopping and dining in Clarendon and the Arlington Cemetery. Visit the hotel’s website.

Conference Sponsorship

The energy industry requires many qualified employees to meet the demands of a growing industry. Supporting the involvement of teachers and students in energy education is an investment in the future of energy. For partners in the energy industry, many sponsorship opportunities are available – sponsoring registration fees, providing speakers, and contributing to the curriculum materials the teachers use in their classrooms. There are many ways to make a tax deductible investment in energy education.

2012 National Energy Conference for Educators – Agenda

July 15 Registration, Introduction

2:30 p.m.   Registration and Reception
3:30 p.m.   Welcome to the National Energy Conference for Educators
4:30 p.m.   Introduction to Science Notebooks
5:15 p.m.   Blueprint Step 1: Science of Energy
5:45 p.m.   NEED Resources, Moodle Poll, Q&A, Blueprint for Success Connections, Evaluation
6:30 p.m.   Dinner

July 16 Science of Energy and Sources of Energy

6:30 a.m.   Breakfast
8:00 a.m.   Science of Energy Break-Out Sessions
9:15 a.m.   Science of Energy Rotations
10:15 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Blueprint Steps 2, 3, 4, and 5
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m.   Energy Expo Explorations
3:15 p.m.   Break
3:30 p.m.   Hydropower and Wind: Participants attend the session suitable for their curriculum and grade level.
5:30 p.m.   NEED Resources, Q&A, Blueprint Connections and Evaluation
6:00 p.m.   Synthesizing the Conference
6:30 p.m.   Dinner on your own

July 17 Sources of Energy

6:30 a.m.   Breakfast
8:00 a.m.   Introduction to Solar Energy
9:00 a.m.   Solar Energy Sessions
11:30 a.m. Lunch & Speaker
1:00 p.m.   Sources of Energy
3:15 p.m.   Break
3:30 p.m.   Global Trading Game
4:30 p.m.    NEED Resources, Q&A, Blueprint Connections and Evaluation
5:15 p.m.   Synthesizing the Conference
6:00 p.m.   Dinner on your own

July 18 Sources of Energy, Electricity, Transportation and Energy Efficiency and Conservation

6:30 a.m.   Breakfast
8:30 a.m.   Sources of Energy Sessions
10:45 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. Electric Connections
11:30 a.m. Introduction to Energy Efficiency and Conservation
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m.   Measuring Our Energy Use
1:15 p.m.   Megawatt Diet
1:20 p.m.   This Week in Energy Conservation
2:20 p.m.   Energy Webs
2:30 p.m.   Understanding Carbon and Climate Change
3:30 p.m.   Break
3:45 p.m.   Energy Technologies and Issues
5:15 p.m.   NEED Resources, Q&A, Blueprint Connections and Evaluation
5:30 p.m.   Synthesizing the NEED Conference
5:45 p.m.   Energy Carnival, Participant Share-a-thon
7:00 p.m.   Dinner

July 19 Transportation, Evaluation, and Recognition

6:30 a.m.   Breakfast
8:00 a.m.   Transportation Enigma
9:00 a.m.   Now I’ve Got It, What Do I Do With it?
                            Classroom Activities to Community and School Outreach
                  NEED Youth Awards for Energy Achievement
9:30 a.m.   Synthesizing the Conference – Breakout by level
10:00 a.m.   Exploring NEED’s Website and Other Resources
10:30 a.m.   What do I get?
10:45 a.m.   Evaluation and Post-Conference Energy Survey
11:00 a.m.   Adjourn