Teachers As Scholars: Global Energy Challenge

February 1, 2016
Categories: College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences, Teaching & Advising
Global energy challenge

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) teachers will share bright new ideas for teaching and learning about energy, at a CTI event for the public on Thursday, Feb. 4, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Discovery Place in Uptown Charlotte.

This “Teachers As Scholars” program features CMS teachers who collaborated on the topic “The Global Energy Challenge,” and highlights innovative curricula they developed during a long-term CTI seminar. CTI Seminar Leader Durwin Striplin, professor of chemistry at Davidson College, will also share his energy expertise at the free Feb. 4 event.

Sponsored by Duke Energy, the program begins with a reception and viewing of the CTI-generated, energy-related curricula from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by presentations and a panel discussion with Striplin and CTI Fellows until 8 p.m. Space is limited, so registration is recommended.

Featured topics and teachers include:

  • The Global Energy Challenge – Striplin
  • Energy Explorations – Lisa Lewis, First Grade, Mountain Island Lake Academy
  • Efficiency and Availability: Designing an Energy Self-Sufficient Community – Kory Trosclair, Science, Bailey Middle School
  • Creative Verve: The Merging of Metaphor and the Scientific Mind – Gloria Brinkman, Art, North Mecklenburg High School
  • A Good Planet is Hard to Find: Climate Change, Energy and Global Sustainability – Jeanne Cooper, Earth and Environmental Science, Mallard Creek High School

The event is an outgrowth of an intensive, seven-month-long CTI seminar Striplin led for CMS teachers in grades K-12, where they explored various forms of energy, the history and science behind its conservation, as well as what new technologies can address the global energy crisis. CTI Executive Director Scott Gartlan said, “We are so proud to showcase teacher-written curricula focused on energy sciences for K-12 students.  These CTI Fellows are on the front lines inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.”

Thirteen sets of extensive, energy-related curriculum units for grades K-12 were developed by teachers in Striplin’s seminar and designed specifically for their own students. All 13 are published on the CTI website, along with 500 other teacher-created curricula from CTI.  Currently CTI is offering another eight seminars for 2016.