Workshops Offered As Part Of The 2008 Workforce Education Conference

The workshops cover important topics such as PV Systems and the National Electrical Code, Solar Thermal, Criterion-Referenced Testing for Renewable Energy Courses and Progams, Wind Energy Science for Educators, Ethanol and Biofuels, and Using the RETScreen Renewable Energy System Modeling Tools.

Register for a workshop

The New Ideas in Educating a Workforce in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Conference will focus on instructional strategies, curricula development, and related training and market trends.  It also offers a great opportunity to network with educators from across the country.

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PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

Tuesday, March 18, 2007

Photovoltaic Systems and the National Electrical Code (NEC)
The purpose of this workshop is to help the audience better understand the National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for designing and installing PV systems.  The workshop is designed for PV installers, building inspectors, plan checkers, fire officials, designers, engineers, and architects who wish to stay on top of the latest code compliance issues that help facilitate safe and long-lasting PV systems. Participants will be provided with an intensive overview of the codes and standards that govern small-scale, solar electrical generation. Primary focus is on the National Electrical Code, including the 2008 updates to the NEC with a permit and inspection guideline provided to organize the process. This will be a good workshop for instructors actively teaching PV design and installation with knowledge of the NEC.  Advanced workshop.  Full day.  Cost $100.00 (includes materials and lunch).

Instructor:  Bill Brooks, PE of Brooks Engineering, LLC, has 20 years of experience designing, installing, and evaluating grid-connected PV systems. Nearly 4,000 installers and 2,500 inspectors have attended his courses throughout the U.S. and abroad. Mr. Brooks has authored several widely used publications including the Inspector Guidelines for PV Systems.  Actively involved in the developments of PV codes and standards including IEEE-929 (PV Utility Interconnection) and for NEC Article 690 (Solar Photovoltaic Systems), Mr. Brooks holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University and is a registered Professional Engineer in North Carolina and California.

Solar Hot Water Education for Training the Future Workforce
This course is designed to help Instructors and Solar Thermal Educators with tools and methods for instruction for many different types of solar systems, including solar hot water, solar space heating and solar pool heating systems. The workshop will cover both the design and operational aspects of the installations.  Each participant will be provided with the following material:  The book by Tom Lane titled “Solar Hot Water Lessons Learned 1977 To Today – Solar Hot Water and Pool Heating Design for High Performance and Low Maintenance Systems Using Current 2007 Technology,” CDs of the presentation slides and other instruction material.  Intermediate to advanced workshop.  Full day.  Cost $100.00 (includes materials and lunch).

Instructor:  Tom Lane, Founder and Director of ECS Solar, has been in solar contracting since 1977.  He was an editorial advisor and feature writer for Solar Engineering and Contracting Magazine and writes for Solar Today and Home Power Magazine. From 1993-2004 he served on the Florida Solar Energy Industry Association board of directors and head of their Technical Committee and has served on many other technical committees.  Mr. Lane also holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Florida.  He was inducted into the Solar Hall of Fame.

Criterion-Referenced Testing for Renewable Energy Courses and Progams
This workshop will introduce participants to criterion-referenced testing (CRT), a process of designing test items and checklists based on specific learning objectives.  The workshop will begin with a review of the instructional design process using the ADDIE model, a review of writing measurable learning objectives, and an overview of Kirkpatrick's Levels of Evaluation.  Participants will write selected-response test items (multiple choice, matching) and constructed-response test items (short anwer, fill-in-the-blanks).  Participants will also design and develop product and performance checklists to measure student behaviors.  Finally, participants will learn how to use tests and checklists to determine whether or not learners can apply their knowledge and skills outside the classroom. Guidelines for writing different types of items and checklists will be provided. Introductory/Intermediate workshop.  Full day. Cost $100.00 (includes materials and lunch).

Instructor:  Dr. Barbara Martin was the principal instructional designer at the Florida Solar Energy Center where she was the lead educator in designing a certification test for the solar industry.  She also contributed to and/or wrote grants for teacher education in science.  Dr. Martin has worked extensively in the field of educational technology at all levels and specializes in instructional design, criterion-referenced testing, evaluation strategies in instructional technology, distance education, and instructional theory. She has written articles on instructional design and educational technology and has written a book on designing instruction for affective behaviors. Most recently, she has worked with renewable energy educators in designing and developing courses, programs, and tests to improve workforce development in renewable energy. 

Wind Energy Science for Educators - Lessons for Workforce Development
The purpose of this workshop is to introduce educators to wind energy technology and careers in the wind industry.  The other primary goal is to introduce educators to materials and curriculum that will help them introduce their students to wind energy and the science, engineering and technology related to this field.   The topics that will be covered include small & large wind energy technologies, the current state of wind energy globally, careers associated with wind energy, and curriculum activities designed to help introduce students to wind energy. A variety of curricula materials and the KidWind Wind Energy Kit will be distributed.  Introductory workshop.  Full day.  Limited to 30 attendees.  Cost $100.00 (includes materials and lunch).

Instructors:  Michael Arquin is the Director of the Kidwind Project, a team of teachers, students, engineers and practitioners exploring the science behind wind energy in classrooms around the US.  Mr. Arquin has taught the Kidwind workshops all over the country and also works on curriculum development and teacher outreach.  Mr. Arquin was a Research Fellow at the Wright Center for Science Education at Tufts University where he started the KidWind Project.   Richard Lawrence is the Clean Energy Program Coordinator at Cape Cod Community College.  Prior to this position, Mr. Lawrence was the Director of Special Projects & Education for Cape & Islands Self-Reliance, a non profit organization.   Mr. Lawrence teaches renewable energy courses at Cape Cod Community College and is a co-chair for the MA Wind Working Group’s Education & Outreach Committee.

The Nuts and Bolts of Ethanol and Biofuels-Hydrogen and Fuel Cells:  What are They and What are Their Applications? 
The focus of this hands-on workshop is to expose individuals to the ever-changing arena of the hydrogen economy and fuel cells technologies.  The changes and advances in ethanol and biofuels production will also be highlighted.  The “what is” and “what’s changing” aspects of the use of hydrogen and fuel cells technologies will be discussed.  Research in this area is moving at a rapid pace and application areas are expanding well beyond the transportation industry.  Where are the millions of research dollars going and how can you be a part of it?  How can you bring the knowledge of these technologies to your classrooms?  What types of hands-on laboratories can be utilized in exploring their use?  Educational materials will be utilized.  Introductory/Intermediate workshop.  Full day.  Limited to 15 attendees.  Cost $100.00 (includes materials and lunch).

Instructor:  Robert Welch has been a professor and program developer at Lansing Community College for 32 years.  He has developed the 2-year Associate’s Degree program in Alternative and Renewable Energy Engineering Technology.  He also developed extensive curriculum under the NextEnergy and DOE energy grants for the college.  Mr. Welch has presented energy education workshops for the National Science Foundation and has given presentations across the country. 

Using the RETScreen Renewable Energy System Modeling Tools in Teaching Students about Renewable Energy Technologies 
The workshop will introduce participants to the software tool RETScreen, developed and distributed by the Canadian government.  This tool allows 7 different renewable energy technologies to be simulated for annual and monthly energy delivery in thousands of worldwide locations and it also performs a very high quality economic analysis of the proposed project.  As such it is an excellent way for students to learn how to analyze potential projects for renewable energy delivery and economics.   The software will be distributed.  Intermediate Workshop.  Half day.  Limited to 20 attendees.  Cost $50.00 (includes materials).

Instructor:  Professor Steve Lapp is the Coordinator of the Energy Systems Engineering Program at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ontario.  Mr. Lapp is a Professional Engineer and holds a Masters of Science (Solar Thermal).   

Register now for these workshops